
Class ^ 

Book __ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



THE LIFE 



OF 



EEV. MICHAEL SCHLATTER; 



WITH A FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS 



TRAVELS AND LABORS 



AMONG 



^\n ^tnimu 



IN PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, MARYLAND AND VIR- 
GINIA; INCLUDING HIS SERVICES AS CHAPLAIN 
IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN AVAR, AND IN 
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



1716 TO 1790. 



fip^YRie 



B Y 



^ 



my 2^ 

nW 



KEY. H. HAEBAUGH, A.M., 

MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PEXXSTLVANIA ; AUTHOR OF "THE SAINTED 
DE.VD," "HEAVENLY RECOGNITION," "HEAVENLY HOME," "BIRDS OF 
THE BIBLE," " ONION WITH THE CHURCH," ETC. ETC. 



Durch meine Feder Kommt dieses Weheklagen der elenden, 
verlassenen, hirtenlosen und um Hiilfe schreienden Pennsylva- 
nischen Gemeinden gegenwiirtig zu euren Ohren ! 

Schlatter's Appeal to the Churches op Europe, 1752. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 

1857. 







Eutered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by 
REV. II. IIARBAUGII, 
the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern 
District of PennsylTania. 



BTEREOTXPED BY J. FAGAN PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON. 



TO 

THE MEMBERS 

OF THE 
■WHO 

ARE NOW REAPING THE RICH FRUITS 

OF THE 

LIFE AND LABORS 

HEREIN PORTRAYED, 

THIS 

VOLUME 

IS 

Sfilcsjpectfullfi ©ctricatct). 



(iii) 



PEEFACE. 



The records of an earnest and laborious life, nearly half 
a century of which was spent in the religious interests of 
the Germans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and 
Yirginia — a life, too, belonging entirely to the last cen- 
tury, including what may be called the formative period 
in Church and State, and extending through the perils of 
our country's two tedious wars — can hardly fail to possess 
some interest to all who are wont to commune with tlie 
past. 

By the ministers and members of the German Reformed 
Church particularly, the life and labors of Rev. Michael 
Schlatter must ever be held in grateful remembrance ; 
and an endeavor to revive the story of his toils and sacri- 
fices in the proper and permanent organization of the 
infant church in America, will no doubt meet their cordial 
approval. Should we have succeeded in any degree to 
their satisfaction, we will be glad of the result. 

It is now sixty-six years since the subject of this memoir 
fell asleep, and thus long have the records of his life and 
labors been exposed to the wasting, scattering power of 

(v) 



VI PREFACE. 

time, and intervening changes. Under these circum- 
stances it cannot be an easy labor to reproduce a life, the 
scenes of whose activities lie entirely in the last century. 
We cannot, therefore, hope that our work is free from 
errors ; yet, the notes will show that we have endeavored 
to go to the sources, and we hope will give the reader 
confidence in the authenticity of our statements. 

We believe it will appear — for we have sought to be 
careful on this point — that we have not made a hero of 
the subject of our memoir. We have not consciously 
indulged either in inflated eulogy on Mr. Schlatter, or in 
sounding glorification of the German Reformed Church, in 
whose interests he labored. Desirous of pursuing the ways 
of better taste and better morals, it was always our aim to 
state history, not to make it, and in simplicity and godly 
sincerity to tell the tale as the records have told it to us. 

Though the sources and authorities are carefully indi- 
cated in the notes, and, in some cases, favors are also 
ficknowledged, yet we desire here to express our thanks 
for important assistance rendered by J. D. Kupp, of 
Harrisburg; John F. Watson, and Rev. H. Haverstick, 
of Germantown ; Samuel Hazard, Townsend Ward, C. 
W. Carrigan, and Rev. Dr. Bomberger, of Philadelphia ; 
Rev. Dr. T. W. De Witt, of New York ; Prof. T. C. 
Porter, Prof. W. M. Nevin, and Mr. Wittenweiler, of 
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster ; Rev. J. G. 
Wolf, of Woodstock, Virginia; J. S. Dubbs, A. B., of 
Lehigh County ; Lewis M. Harbaugh, of Hagerstown, 
Md. ; Alfred Snyder, Esq., of Manayunk, Pa. ; Rev. E. 



PREFACE. VH 

L. Schwartz, of Boston, Mass. ; Rev. Dr. Kirkpatrick, 
of Amwell, N. J. ; Rev. J. 0. Miller, and J. L. Mayer, 
of York, Pa. ; Rev. A. Ilelfen stein, of New Holland ; 
Rev. W. M. Eaum, of Barren Hill, ?a. ; and Rev. J. 
Glinz, German Reformed Pastor in St. Gall, Switzerland. 
May this volume be Llest to the Church for which 
Schlatter labored. The Lord continue to render fruitful 
this vine which his own right hand has planted on these 
■western shores, and cause it to send out its boughs unto 
the sea, and its branches unto the rivers. May the con- 
gregations which here find how tenderly they were nursed 
in their infancy, now that they are strong, not cease to 
bless God for His goodness which has been ever of old ; 
and Thou, ever blessed Head of the Church — who, before 
we or our fathers were born, didst furnish us in her bosom 
so firm a refuge, and so sweet a rest, — let the people 
praise Thee, Lord Jesus, let all the people praise 
Thee. 

H. H. 

Lancaster, Pa., April, 1857. 



CONTENTS. 



Dedication iii 

Preface v 

Introduction xvii 

CHAPTER T. 

Schlatter's youth. 

Parentage — Childhood — School and Gymnasium — > 
Confirmation — Travels to Holland and Northern 
Germany — Return to St. Gall — Studies with Prof. 
Wagelin — A candidate for the holy ministry — Goes 
again to Holland — Teaches there — Returns to Switz- 
erland — Vicar in Wigoldingen — Sabbath evening 
preacher in Lintebuehl — Goes to Holland — Becomes 
a missionary to America 27 — 33 

CHAPTER II. 

Schlatter's mission to America. 

174G. 

State of the Church in Pennsylvania — Need of an ex- 
ploring missionary — What was done before Schlatter's 
mission— Sending of Rev. G. M. Weiss from the Pala- 
tinate, 1727— Synod of Breda, 1730— Palatine exiles 
— Interest of the Church in Holland in the infant 
churches in America — Schlatter's instructions — Sails 

for the New World 34—47 

(ix) 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

Schlatter's first labors ix America. 
174G — 1751, 
Arrival in Philadelphia — Appearance of the town in 
1746 — Missionary visits — Preaches in Philadelphia — 
Marriage — Preparations for organizing the Coetus, 
or Synod — First Synod — Organization of the Dutch 
Reformed Synod — Lutheran Synod — Journeys and 
Labors — The Steiner troubles in Philadelphia 48 — 69 

CHAPTER IV. 

Schlatter's mission to Europe. 
1751 — 1752. 
French war — Occasion of his visit to Europe — Commis- 
sioned by Synod — Testimonials, farewell, departure — 
Voyage — Safe arrival in Holland — Begins the w^ork 
assigned him — Synod of North Holland, at Edam — 
His success — Requested to visit Germany and Switz- 
erland — Results of this visit — Sets his face toward 
America with six young ministers — Interesting fare- 
well solemnities — Sails — Safe arrival 70 — 83 

CHAPTER V. 

Schlatter's appeal to the churches in" europe. 

Introductory remarks — Address to the Swiss Confede- 
racy — Preface to the Appeal — Introduction by the 
Commissioners of the Classis of Amsterdam — Schlat- 
ter's Journal. Title-page — Dedication — Commenda- 
tory Address to the Swiss Confederacy — Preface — 
Introduction to the Journal, by Schlatter — The 
Journal 84—123 

SECTION I. 
1746. 

His voyage — Arrival in Boston — Journey via New- 
port and New York to Philadelphia — Visits to 



CONTENTS. xi 

Revs. Boehm and Weiss, and Elder Reif — Return 
to PhiladJphia — Labors there— Visit to Rev. Dor- 
stius, in Bucks County— Return to Philadelphia- 
Opens his commission there— Visit to Germantown 
— Arrangements there 124 132 



SECTION II. 
1746. 
Schlatter visits Goshenhoppen — Examines ReiPs ac- 
counts—Visit to Oly— To Rev. Reiger, in Conestoga 
—To Tulpehocken— Return to Lancaster— Assem- 
bles all the ministers in Philadelphia — Great en- 
couragement—Reports to Holland— Visit of J. C. 
Wirts— Arrangements for future operations 132—138 



SECTION III. 
1746. 
Visits Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg at Providence — Falk- 
ner Schwam — Returns to Providence — Visits Go- 
shenhoppen— Indienfield— Returns to Philadelphia 
— Labors in Germantown— Visits Ilallmill, in New 
Jersey — Encouraging reflections — Installed Pastor 
at Philadelphia — Introductory sermon — Close of 
the year 1746 138—147 



SECTION IV. 
1747. 
Beginning of the year 1747 — Receives many moving 
letters — Is visited by two men from Virginia — Also 
by Dr. Miller, of Falkner Schwam — Visits Skip- 
pach — Witpen — Is installed by Rev. Boehm, in 
Germantown — Visits Dr. Miller, and baptizes his 
family — Catechizes children — Communion in Phil- 
adelphia — Visit to Pilesgrove, in New Jersey — ■ 

His labors there — Returns to Philadelphia 147 — 151 

1* 



Xil CONTENTS. 

SECTION V. 

1747. 

A great journey to Monocacy, in Maryland — Lan- 
caster — Churches on the Susquehanna — York — 
Lischy — Conewago — Monocacy and Connogo- 
cheague — Great encouragement — Return journey 
— Lischy and the Moravians in York — Preaches at 
Lancaster — Returns to Philadelphia — Visits New 
York — Prepares the \ray for the organization of 
the German Reformed Synod — Communion in 
Philadelphia and Germantown 152 — 156 

SECTION VI. 
1747. 

Visit to the interior of Pennsylvania — Conestoga — 
Zeltenrich church — Lancaster — Donegal — Mode- 
creek — Cocalico — Weiseichenland — Labors in 
these churches — Templeman and his labors — Visits 
Tulpehocken — Manadany — Magunschy — Egypt — 
Lehigh — Bethlehem — Nazareth — Meets Lischy — 
A hireling — Saccony — Meets Mr. Wirts — Spring- 
field — Schuggenhaus — Two charges — Returns to 
Philadelphia — Receives a moving letter from New 
Jersey — A letter from Lischy — Sends a circular to 
all the ministers and elders of the German Re- 
formed churches, inviting them to the meeting of 
the first Synod — Communion in Philadelphia and 
Germantown — The first Synod — Synodical Sermon 
by Rev. Reiger — Sessions and Acts — Baptism of 
an emancipated slave — Ilis devoted life 157 — 166 

SECTION VII. 
. 1747. 
Schlatter and Reiger a committee of Synod to visit 
York on the troubles between Lischy and the con- 
gregation—Feelings of the congregation — Senti- 



COA'TEXTS. Xlll 

merits of Lischy — The decision — Returns by "way 
of Lancaster to Philadelphia — Letters from remote 
churches — Visits the congregations in New Jersey 
— Rockaway — Foxhill — Amwell — Grateful offer- 
ings of these churches — Return — First sermon in 
the new church in Philadelphia — Close of the year 
1747 IGG— 170 

SECTION VIII. 

1748. 

Labors the first four months in the new year — Jour- 
ney to Virginia — Preparatory sermon at Lancaster 
— Arrangements with Rev. Reiger — Susquehanna 
River — York — Conewago, — Monocacy and Frede- " 
ricktown, in Maryland — Connogocheague — Ap- 
pearance of the country — Potomac River — Droves ^^ 
of deer — Fredericktown, in Virginia — Fearful rattle- 
snake — Shenandoah River — New Germantown — 
Preaches in these places — Return journey — Lonely 
and dangerous way — Goat River — The Potomac 
River — Preaches and administers the sacraments 
at Frederick, in Maryland — Affecting scene — Cone- 
wago — York — Affair of Lischy — Ascension day at 
Lancaster — Return to Philadelphia 170 — 178 

SECTION IX. 
1748. 
Letter from Rev. Dorstius — Whitsuntide in German- 
town and Philadelphia — Visit to the churches in 
New Jersey — Visit to Dorstius — Churches in North- 
ampton County — Return to Philadelphia — Arrival 
of Revs.Bartholomaeus and Ilochreutiner — Letters 
from Holland — Visits the interior with the newly- 
arrived ministers — Lancaster — Weiseichenland — 
Tulpehocken — Oly — FalknerSchwam — Providence 
— Return to Philadelphia — iVrrival of Rev. John 
Philip Leydich and his family from Holland — Let- 



xiv CONTENTS. 

ters — Visit from Hev. Boehm and an elder — Second 
meeting of Synod and its acts — Close of the Synod — 
Leydich installed by Boehm at Falkner Schwam — 
Visit to the churches in New Jersey — Return to 
Philadelphia — Schlatter's forebodings — Sudden 
and melancholy death of Rev. Ilochreutiner — His 
funeral sermon — Bartholomaeus installed by 
Boehm in Tulpehocken — Two Low Dutch students, 
Marinus and Du Bois — Lischy's statement of his 
faith — Call from Egypt and Heidelberg — Docu- 
ments sent to Holland — Close of the year 1748 . . 179—187 

SECTION X. 
1749 — 1750. 
Beginning of the year 1749 — Journey by way of Wil- 
mington to Lancaster — Vacancy at Lancaster — 
Returns — Letters from Magunchy and Egypt — 
Calls from Virginia — Church visitations — Visits 
Leydich — Sudden death of Rev. Boehm — Ilis fune- 
ral sermon — Visit to the churches in New Jersey — 
Summer labors — Third Synod, at Lancaster — Ar- 
rival of Rev. Steiner — Adjourned meeting of S^mod 
in Philadelphia — Call to Steiner from Lancaster — 
Leydich — Steiner's conduct toward Schlatter — 
Beginning of 1750 — Visit to New Jersey — Church 
visitations — Visits Witpen, Falkner Schwam, Oly, 
Tulpehocken, Lancaster — Fourth Synod — Special 
Synod — Schlatter commissioned to visit Europe — 
Sails— Safe arrival 188—197 

The Religious Destitutions in Pennsylvania and 

neighboring provinces 198 — 208 

An Earnest Plea for Relief 208 — 219 

An Appeal in behalf of the Indians 219 — 224 

Concluding Words 225—226 

Synodical Action in Holland on Schlatter's 

Statement and Appeal 226 — 230 

ITestimonial 230—234 



CONTENTS. XV 

CHAPTER Vr. 

RESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION". 

The work goes on in Europe — Letter of Rev. Ilud- 
macher, in behalf of the Deputies of both Synods, 
to Superintendent Wirtz, in Zurich — Touching 
words — Collections, and the result — Muhlenberg's 
testimony — Distributions in America — Increase of 
ministers for the New World — Stream of blessed 
results flows on — Picture of pure Christian love . . 235 — 247 

CHAPTER VII. 

SCHLATTER IX PHILADELPniA. 

1752 — 1755. 

Six young ministers — Schlatter locates them — A 
black sheep in every flock — Troubles in Philadel- 
phia — Peace-making — Schlatter appointed Super- 
intendent of the Charity Schools, and also to visit 
the churches — Extract from his letter sent with the 
minutes — Future expectations — Fund for the sup- 
port of widows of deceased ministers — Continued 
residence in Philadelphia 248 — 257 

CHAPTER YIII. 

SCHLATTER AXD THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 

1755 — 1757. 

The Church and Schools in the olden time — Scarcity 
of schoolmasters — Great need of them — Help from 
Europe — A brief history of the Charity School 
scheme — Establishment of a German paper — The 
religious character of the schools — Political motives 
— Misrepresentations of the Germans — Germans 
and Quakers sympathize — The German language 
politically unsound — The wisdom which was to 
counteract the evil — Indices of the spirit of the 
times — Working for one end, and gaining another — 
Saurs and the Germans — Opposition to the school 



XVI CONTENTS. 

scheme — The bait suspected — Position of the Cootus 
in relation to the schools — The German lleformed 
are to make honey for others — Difficulties of the 
system — Some success — Application of the Presby- 
terians to participate in the benefits of this fund, 
in 1755 — Synod establishes a school for the instruc- 
tion of youth in divinity and the English language 
— Synod applies to Trustees of the German schools 
for aid to the project — Opposition to it — Request 
finally granted — Contribute for eight years to it — 
Abandoned in 1762 258—310 

CHAPTER IX. 

SCHLATTER AND THE CCETUS. 
1756. 

Unfortunate misunderstanding between the Coetus 
and Mr. Schlatter — History of the causes of this 
difficulty — Schlatter deposed of his powers of gene- 
ral superintendent — Report of the Coetus to the 
Fathers in Holland — Their reflections on Schlatter 
— Ilis enemies — Mr. Saurs, of Germantown — The 
Elder Reif troubles — Exhibitions of jealousy and 
malice by Saurs in his paper — Schlatter justified 
by the Fathers — Saurs and the Steiner difficulty — 
Schlatter fully exonerated — Influence of Saurs' 
paper Avith the Germans — Increased opposition 
and prejudice — Its results oil — 321 

CHAPTER X. 

Schlatter's chaplaincy in the French war. 

1757 — 1759. 

Schlatter and the civil authorities — The high esteem 
in which he was held — The early German settlers 
averse to going to war — Parliament conciliates 
them — Appointment of German, Swiss, and Dutch 
Protestants as officers — The German troops ordered 
to Nova Scotia — Schlatter commissioned to accom- 



CONTENTS. XVll 

pany them as Chaplain, Ijy the Eavl of Loudon — 
Copy of the commission — Preparations — Fleet col- 
lected in the harbor of New York — Delay at Sandy 
Hook — Sail for Halifax — Siege of Haliftix and 
Louisburg — Memories of the past — Return — Brings 
a call to Rev. Muhlenberg from Nova Scotia — 
Taste for life in the field 322—329 

CHAPTER XL 

SWEETLAND. 

1755 — 1777. 
Removes to Chestnut Hill— Calls his home Sweetland 
— Leads a quiet life — Still preaches some — Re- 
marks on his retirement — Causes of it — Dema- 
gogueism — The vrrath of man must praise God — 
Peace amid rural scenes 330 — 335 

CHAPTER XII. 

SCHLATTER CHArLAIX IN THE KEYOLUTIGNARY TTAR. 

1777. 

His nominal chaplaincy — Outbreak of the war — Brit- 
ish chaplain — Refuses to obey orders — Is impris- 
oned — His house plundered by the soldiers — Visits 
of his daughter in prison — Release — Resides again 
on Chestnut Hill — His new home — Beautiful 
scenery — Present appearance of the old mansion — 
Marriages — Record-book 33G — 341 

CHAPTER XIII. 

SCHLATTER AND MUHLENBERG. 
174C— 1790. 

Friendship — Mutual co-operation — Schlatter visits 
Muhlenberg, in Providence — Visits also Rev. 
Boehm, in Falkner Schwam — Returns to Provi- 
dence — Preaches there — Extracts from letters of 



XVlll CONTENTS. 

Rev. Muhlenberg — His death — Schlatter attends 

his funeral — Ileflections 342—348 

CHAPTER XIV. 

OLD AGE AND DEATH. 

Going down into the valley — Personal appearance in 
old age — Friend to children — Marries great 
numbers — Love's pilgrimages to Chestnut Hill 
— Entertaining qualities — Hospitality — Patri- 
archal character — Mrs. Schlatter's character and 
death — Something for the ladies of the Church — 
Death — Burial in Philadelphia — Franklin Square — 
Pleasure-ground in a cemetery! — A silent congre- 
gation — The Church pronounces its " Rest in 
peace" 349—358 

CHAPTER XV. 

Schlatter's descendants. 

A natural desire to trace the descendants of a great 
man — Account of his children — The family extinct 
in Switzerland 359 — 364 

CHAPTER XVI. 

uis general character. 

Wordsof Dr.Freseni — His friendly manner — Catholic 
spirit — Inquiring mind — Talent for order and or- 
ganization — Faithfulness — Love of peace — Zeal for 
practical piety — Energy, industry, and perseve- 
rance — Summary 365 — 372 

CHAPTER XVII. 

CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

The missionary work a century ago — Similar now — 
Pioneer exploring missionary needed to ensure suc- 
cess — Relation of this volume to the Home Mis- 
sionary work 273 — 375 



INTRODUCTION. 



*< Wer aus bloszei* Naclialimungssuclit, aus Eitelkeit, aus Schwache, 
seine Nationalitat opfert, der stelit auch. in Gefalir, seineu Glauben 
■und seine Religiou zu opfern.*' — IIagenbach. 

"We have heard Avith our ears, God, our fatlicrs have told us, 
•what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou 
didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them. 
For they got not the land in possession by their ovfn sword, neither 
did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, 
and the liglit of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto 
them." 

To forget the past is to forget our mercies, and 
to forget our mercies is to forget God. The tree 
must ever draw life from its roots ; the strength of 
a stream must ever be replenished from its fountains : 
so is the nation and the church, in the divine order, 
ever dependent for vitality and vigor on its past 
history. The trials and triumphs of the past are 
as promises to stimulate us in the present, and as 
pledges to give us hope and courage for the future. 

For a time the sa^'ings and doings of our ances- 
tors ma}' be left to the preservation of a grateful 
remembrance, and to the unrecorded traditions 
which parents hand down to their children. But 
such traditions soon grow din^ and uncertain, and 
2 ^xix^ 



XX INTllODUCTION, 

at last vanish away. As the setting sun leaves first 
a glory, then a twilight, and at last darkness : so 
the deeds of the past, as they sink beyond our per- 
sonal recollection, are first bright, then dim, and 
then gone ! — and, too late, we mourn that we have 
no picture of the faded beauty. Our parents relate 
to us stories of the days of our grand-parents ; but 
our grand-parents themselves are gone, and tell us 
no more wdiat w^as before them. 

This is our case as a church in America. The 
grand-parents are gone, the fathers are going, the 
history of their toils and achievements is beginning 
to swim in half-uncertain twilight, and there is but 
barely time to record the doings of their life's diiy 
before the oblivious night sets in, when records 
and traditions w^ill no more recognise one another. 

The social and religious life among the Germans 
of Pennsylvania and neighboring States, one hun- 
dred years ago, was peculiar to itself, and its history 
has its own charm. A retiring and rural people, 
were our forefathers. Isolated to a great extent 
from others by language, social habits, religion, 
and even the character of their secular pursuits, 
they dwelt in the fertile and friendly valleys of 
Pennsylvania, ]N'ew^ Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, 
ambitious only for the quiet ways of peace and love. 
It cannot be uninteresting even to strangers, and 
certainly not to their owai children, to be presented 
with a picture, even though it may be very imper- 
fect, of the social and religious features of the olden 
time among the Germans. Such a picture must 
come forward in the life and labors of a man like 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

Rev. Michael Schlatter, who earnestly identified 
himself with their highest educational and religious 
interests for the space of more than forty years, and 
that during the most interesting and eventful period 
of our country's civil and ecclesiastical history. 

"We want a history of firesides," said AVebster, 
truly. General history may he compared to the 
Table of Contents of a book containing a charming 
story ; local and particular history to the book itself. 
General history is as if one should take us to some 
eminence, and show us the wide landscape, with 
mountains, valleys, woods, and fields, all well-de- 
fined, but cold as if carved in marble : whilst local 
history is as an actual ramble on these mountains, 
through these valleys, fields, and woods, coming in 
sight of singing birds, silvery cascades and rills, 
green meadows, blooming flowers, waving fields, 
and all the details of life, beauty, and joy, which 
no general observation can discern. A true history 
of Pennsylvania would be one that would cluster, 
not around its civil machinery, its council records, 
its battle-fields and forts, its public ofiicers and 
schemes of State policy, but one which would 
thread on its religious history, follow its churches 
as they rose in one valley and settlement after an- 
other, the pioneerings of its early pastors, and the 
general progress of piety and purity in its families. 
There is not a valley in the State whose history 
is not prevailingly bound up with its venerable 
churches, and well-filled graveyards. These were 
not only the first prominent, sacred, and venerated 
places in the early settlements, but have ah\'ays 



Xxii INTRODUCTIOIs^ 

been the centres to which the deepest and most 
earnest thoughts of men have tended, and from 
which have gone ont those monlding influences 
which have made individuals, families, valleys, and 
the State itself, as wealthy, worthy, and peaceful, 
as they are. In such a history, German settle- 
ments, German valleys, German churches, German 
pastors, and German life, would cover many inte- 
resting pages. 

That the German element in Pennsylvania his- 
tory has not been brought out in its due proportion, 
is too apparent to need any proof. Of this, per- 
haps, we ought not to complain. Whether it is a 
fault arising from tardiness, or a virtue springing 
from a retired modesty, or something of both, it is 
nevertheless true, that the Germans are devotedly 
willing to bear the timber and build the scaffolding, 
so that others may erect their temples of honor, 
and then as patiently submit to being cast aside 
because needed no more. But whether they are to 
have credit for the good, or blame for the evil, 
which from them has been infused into our Penn- 
sylvania nationality, the fact that German life is 
the moulding power in the life of our State, will be 
seen in its spirit for ages to come. 

The phrase "German Pennsylvania" is tradi- 
tionall}^ abroad, and will last as long as the phrase 
"Yankee New England." This proverb, like the 
fabled w^andering Jew, will travel the earth as a, 
testimony, whatever historians may write in books. 
AVhether they will claim it, or whether others will 
allow it, the Germans have turned Penn's woods 



iNTiiODUCTiox. xxiii 

into fruitful fields — and their blood is the bearer 
of the inmost life of the State. The Indians are 
gone, but their names are still uttered in our hear- 
ing by the sounding mountains, the roaring rivers, 
and the softer murmur of the gentler streams. 
These are their monuments that will tell of the 
ancient people forever. So the Germans may 
vanish, their language may be forgotten, their 
habits improved into ^^hat is worse, and their 
records fade from the historic page ; but German 
names will stick fast to German towns, counties, 
townships, valleys, streams, and hills, till earth and 
heaven themselves are changed. Then, too, 
German family names will tell the tale. Look 
over the State and beyond it, and is not their name 
Legion, for they are many. These, it is true, may 
be changed, — the Shibboleth may be turned into 
Sibboleth, by such as ^'cannot frame to pronounce 
it right," yet the man of quaint and curious lore 
will always be able to trace them through their 
transmigrations, and demonstrate that in the begin- 
ning they were not so. As there is a power behind 
thrones, so there are monuments back of history; 
and what historians burj^, antiquarians will dig 
out — and they will show to the ages to come, who 
were the ancient people that reigned in the land. 

The extent to which the social spirit of Penns^'il- 
vania has been moulded by a German element, is 
worthy of all grateful consideration. Moreover, 
wonderful is it, how certain peculiarities have ad- 
hered to the German character through nearly a 
score of centuries, and still appear as prominent 
2* 



Xxiv INTRODUCTION. 

traits, notwithstanding all the modifications which 
German life has undere^one in America! Like all 
other nations, the}- have their faults and follies. 
Whatever nation that be which is w^ithout these, 
from it shall he come forth who shall stone thenx. 
for their German sins. IN'either b}^ our religion, 
nor by the lessons of our parents, have w'e been 
taught to reproach our ancestors, or set forth their 
faults before the world. Of their virtues it is pious 
to speak, and where these prevail, they must form 
the web upon which history will weave its story. 

Even as heathen, the ancient Germans were 
noble — nobler and purer than any heathen around 
them. They were stern and steadfast in their prin- 
ciples, dignified in their deportment, just and true 
in their practices. "An aboriginal, pure, and 
unmixed people; they resembled themselves alone." 
Even their physical characteristics were strikingly 
peculiar, and have been wonderfully perpetuated 
in the German family. To see the truth of this 
remark, it is only necessary to compare the Ger- 
mans of Pennsylvania with the description which 
Kohlraush gives of the ancient Germans. " Their 
chest was wide and strong; their powerful gigantic 
bodies, which the Komans and Gauls could not 
behold without fear, displayed the strength that 
nature had given to this people." Josephus also 
refers to them as ''tall and strong." Even from 
infancy, they grew up hardy and solid. " The 
effeminate nations," says one, "who with difliculty 
reared their children during their earliest infancy, 
w^ondered how those Germans, without cradles or 



INTRODUCTIOX. XXV 

swadclliDg-baiids, should grow up to the very fullest 
bloom of health." They used every means in their 
power to keep alive the energies of body and soul. 
Idleness was one of the greatest crimes known 
among them. Whilst they hung the coward, they 
drowned the lazy drone, as being a meaner death ! 

That this physical energy has come down as the 
inheritance of the Germans, all know who are 
acquainted with this hardy race. From a source 
where no warping prejudice can be suspected, we 
have lately heard these words in relation to the 
Germans of Pennsylvania: " They understand, or 
if they do not understand, they observe the laws 
of health better than even the rural population of 
Massachusetts ; and the result is that they are really 
the finest race of men, physically, to be found 
within the borders of the United States. There is 
no where, in all America, an agricultural population, 
the members of which personally till the soil, that 
has such thews and sinews, such a healthy develop- 
ment, or such generallj' prolonged life." ^ 

There is that which is better than physical 
strength, and fine, healthy, bodily stamina and 
development. Yet as material resources, mountains 
with bowels of iron, valleys with strength of soil to 
cover themselves with waving harvests, are neces- 
sary to a nation's greatness and glory, so are sound 
bodies required for vigorous souls. While the 
Germans are generally deficient in the preciseness, 
comprehensiveness, and scientific polish of book- 

' Public Ledger. 



axvi introduction. 

learning, they are rich in native talent, vigorous 
common sense, and correct practical knowledge. 
If ignorance is to be associated with social, moral, 
and religious degradation — if these are its fruits — 
then we appeal to all who know, whether that kind 
of ignorance is a prevailing feature in the German 
life of Pennsylvania? We say unhesitatingly that 
the uncorrupted German spirit is characterized by 
social purity, moral elevation, and a wonderful in- 
stinctive correctness in regard to the principles and 
requirements of Christianity. It has 3'et to be 
shown that the more showy by-rote intelligence 
which is transferred from tongue to tongue, with 
little exercise of the thinking powers, is either more 
respectable or more valuable for even the higher 
purposes of life, than that modest, native sense, 
which is of slow and silent growth, embodying 
itself in sound, well-tried maxims, and more ambi- 
tious to find its own right way, than to shine upon 
the path of others. There is a kind of intelligence 
which speaks more than it thinks, and the mind is 
rather inflated by what has been thought by others, 
than strengthened by what it has thought itself. 
The gold that shines around the finished jewel, 
though it dazzles the eye, is often less pure and 
valuable than that which only modestly gleams in 
the ore ; so the intelligence of outward polish is 
often a mere covering of the surface, that deceives 
only the superficial. Who has not had occasion to 
notice that German Christians, in the rural cono:re- 
gations, lay hold upon religious truth with an 
earnest grasp, such as is not found in towns and 



INTRODUCTION. XXvil 

cities, where there is far more of the parade and 
pretence of intelligence. Their habits of life being 
more quiet and meditative, they retain and digest 
that which with others makes but a superficial im- 
pression, and is dispersed amid the haste and hurry 
of business. 

There is also that wdaich is better than intelli- 
gence. To be good is greater than to be wise. 
Historians agree in awarding to the ancient Ger- 
mans a; high moral character. Love of country, 
love of justice, honesty in dealing, submission to 
law and order, were, from the first, as they are still, 
prominent characteristics in the German character. 
The expression, ''honest German," has gone forth 
as a proverb, and its passport is acknovvledged on 
the way. 

1^0 virtue was more honored or more sacredly 
preserved among the Germans than the queen of 
virtues — chastity. "There," says Tacitus, "no 
one smiles at vice; and to seduce, or be seduced, 
is not called fashionable : for among the Germans, 
good morals effect more than elsewhere good 
laws." The same author tells us that the marriaire 
union was regarded with the most sacred reverence; 
it was kept holy and inviolable until death ; and an 
infringement of the matrimonial vow was, accord- 
ing to his testimony, almost unheard of They 
held that there was something almost divine in a 
virtuous woman ; and they had a respect for the 
female character which almost amounted to vene- 
ration. That these virtues are honored and cher- 
ished in the German social life of Pennsylvania, is 



XXviii INTRODUCTIOX. 

known to all who are informed on the subject; and 
where they do not appear prominent, it is an evi- 
dence that there a degeneration has taken place 
"by foreign influence. 

A prominent feature in their social manners has 
always been hospitality. With the primitive Ger- 
man, " to refuse a stranger, whoever he might be, 
admission to the house, would have been disgrace- 
ful. His table was free and open to all, according 
to his means. If his provisions were exhausted, he 
who was but recently the host, would become the 
guide and conductor of his guest, and together they 
would enter, uninvited, the first best house. There 
also they were hospitably received." That this is 
still a feature in the social life of the Germans, is 
too well known to need any illustration. 

Calmness and deliberation is also a prominent 
trait in the German character, Avhich has come 
down by inheritance from the earliest ages. The 
ancient Germans frequently held their counsels in 
connection with great banquets, "when the joyous- 
ness of the feast and society opened the secrets of 
the breast. But on the following day they recon- 
sidered what had been discussed, so that they might 
view it coolly and dispassionately. They took 
counsel when they could not deceive, and took their 
resolution when fitted for quiet consideration." 
This deliberation has not yet been started into 
hurry by all the cry of haste which rings around. 
The German still decides calmly — thinks more of 
going surely than of going speedily, and firmly be- 
lieves that the race is not always to the swift. 



INTRODUCTION. XXIX 



Such are some of the ruling virtues in the German 
hfe of Pennsylvania which have impressed them- 
selves deeply upon the character of the State, and 
which will continue to modify, in a favorable way, 
its general spirit for a long time to come. It is 
this that makes the study of German social and 
religious life in Pennsylvania interesting to the 
earnest and thoughtful ; and while it is not the 
direct aim of this volume to bring out these features 
of the German character in a formal way, yet we 
hope to have drawn a picture in which they do 
come forward incidentally, and therefore more 
naturally and truly than would be the case in a 
formal argumentative attempt. 

If the German element, in its bearing upon the 
o:eneral life and spirit of the State, has been too 
much overlooked, this has no less been the case in 
regard to its religious importance, both as it regards 
the Lutheran and German Reformed Confessions. 
Proud, in his history of Pennsylvania, written be- 
tween 1TT6 and 1780, whilst he gives more or less 
enlarged descriptions of the small communions of 
the Mennonites, Dunkards, Swenkfelders, and 
others, but barely mentions the German Reformed, 
thouo-h they were at the time numerous in the 
land; and then appHes to them the narrow name 
of "German Calvinists," which is not only a name 
they never bore in history, but which few would 
apply to them. Gordon, in his history of Pennsyl- 
\ania, written in 1829, says: "At the revolution, 
tlie Presbyterians, including the Dutch and German 
Calvinists, formed the most numerous sect in the 



:vXX INTRODUCTION. 

province, several of the back counties being cliiefly 
peopled by them." It would be difficult to put 
more confusion into a sentence of equal length. 
Here we have, first, the Presbyterians and German 
Reformed made one — then the German and Dutch 
Reformed as one — then the Dutch Reformed located 
in Pennsylvania, where there w^ere at that time few 
found — then, by implication, the German Re- 
formed are located prevailingly in the western 
counties, where there were at that time but few — 
and, to crown all, they are nicknamed " German 
Calvinists." It seems, moreover, that this historian 
was of the opinion that there was "nothing in a 
name," since he speaks later of the "Reformed 
Lutherans" — in which original mode of naming 
the German Reformed, the Bishop of New Jersey 
has lately followed this historian, except that he 
has so far improved on the title as to make it 
" The German Reformed Lutheran Church ! " 
These are but specimens — and they are fair ones — 
of what is continually w^ritten, and printed, and 
spoken, in the same blundering style. If a man 
writes scientifically about a worm, he is bound to 
call it by its right name, and show that he under- 
stands its habits and ways ; if he fails in this, he 
justly incurs the censure of the scientific. We ask 
only for an application of the same rule in historical 
dealings with venerable and earnest ecclesiastical 
raiovements among the Germans in America, which, 
whatever may be men's judgments of their intrinsic 
value or historical importance, are nevertheless^ to 
say the least, of more account than many worms! 



INTRODUCTION. XXXl 

This book will show, we hope, that the German 
Reformed Church, by the side of the Lutheran, has 
acted no unimportant part in the early ecclesiastical 
history of the State; and that, especially, the labor 
in which Mr. Schlatter was engaged was a matter 
of much greater anxiety and concern with the civil 
authorities, and the ruling spirits among the friends 
of the infant State, than even the most attentive 
reader of Pennsylvania history would have imagined. 
For proof of this remark, we respectfully refer to 
the chapter on the Charity School scheme, and the 
tale which thereby hangs, as well as to the civil 
policy which evidently underlies his appointment 
to the chaplaincy in the French and Indian War. 

Humble as the attempt is, we venture to offer 
this volume, first and directly, as the Life and 
Labors of Rev. Michael Schlatter; and then, indi- 
rectly, as a small contribution to the inward civil 
and religious history of our free, peaceful, and 
noble State. 



LIFE AND LABORS 



OF 



EEV. MICHAEL SCHLATTER. 



CHAPTEE I. 

Schlatter's youth. 

Michael Schlatter is descended from an old, 
very worthy, and respectably related family of St. 
Gall, in Switzerland. Paulus Schlatter, his father, 
by profession a book-keeper, was an upright and 
excellent man. He was born October 8th, 1685, in 
St. Gall, where he lived till his death, which 
occurred July 11th, 1748. His mother, a good 
woman, whose maiden name was Magdalena Zolli- 
kofer, also of St. Gall, was born August 10th, 1695, 
married to Paulus Schlatter November 17th, 1713, 
and died January 24th, 1759. 

Paulus Schlatter, the father of Michael, had a 
brother, who was for some time Conrector in the 
Gymnasium of his native town, ^ St. Gall, a learned 

* This gymnasium was founded on what was before the 
Convent of St. Catharine, in 1598. 

(27) 



28 LIFE AND LABORS OP SCHLATTER. 

and pious man. He was married to a daughter of 
the Rev. Christopher Stahelin, from 1685 to 1710, 
Professor in the Gymnasium, and from 1710, up 
to the time of his death, 1727, Pastor in St. Gall ; 
also author of an excellent and well-known treatise 
on the Hiedelberg Catechism. This brother was 
also grand-child of " honorable and learned" Dean 
Earth olome "Wagelin of St. Gall, the author of 
numerous works, and of w^hom it is said : *' He 
belonged to a family which has been for a long 
time, one of the most respectable and useful in his 
paternal town, and which in its blooming branches, 
still encourages the sweet hope that it will long 
continue to sustain this position."^ His maternal 
grand-mother w^as a daughter of the celebrated 
Zollikofer ; with w^hich family, the father of Michael 
was also related by marriage. A son of Paulus, 
named Christopher, afterwards obtained consider- 
able celebrity as a minister in Holland, and was a 
bosom friend of Michael in his youth. It was no 
doubt through the friendship and influence of this 
cousin, that he was brought to spend a number of 
his early years in that country ; which led also at 
length, in the providence of God, to his becoming 
a missionary to the 'New World. 

These facts are of account, as showing us the 
social antecedents and youthful surroundings of 
him, the story of whose life we have undertaken 
to relate. 

We know full well that a titled ancestry, when 

* Fresenii Pastoral Sammlungen, Part viii. p. 402. 



Schlatter's youth. 29 

it is only of this world, is a vanity instead of a 
virtue ; but it is not so with honored piety. A line 
of pious ancestry has a blessing for those who are 
found in it. The covenant and the promises — yea, 
even the law also — have mercy for children, and 
children's children, of such as keep His covenant, 
and remember His commandments, to do them. 
There is true scriptural ground for the poet's holy 
exultation : 

" My boast is not that I derive my birth 
From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth ; 
But higher far my proud pretensions rise, 
The son of parents passed into the skies V 

Michael Schlatter was born in St. Gall — at that 
time one of the largest towns in Switzerland, lying 
beautifully between two mountains, and on the 
bank of the Steinach — on the 14th of July, in 
the year of our Lord, 1716. Blest with pious 
parents, he was early devoted to God, in the cove- 
nant and grace of holy baptism. Being the first 
child of his parents, he was an object of special 
tenderness and solicitude during his infantile years. 
His early powers of mind and heart were nurtured 
and unfolded, not only in the bosom of a christian 
family, but also in the society of a circle of intelli- 
gent and pious relatives, and in the religious 
atmosphere of a congregation blest at the time 
with such an excellent religious spirit as God always 
inspires under the faithful ministry of such men as 
the devoted Stahelin. 

The parochial schools, and the Gymnasium of St 
Gall, in which his excellent uncle was one of the 
3* 



30 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Professors, was no doubt animated by the same 
decided!}^ religious life. Spending his boyhood 
and youth in the midst of such social, literary, and 
religious advantages all combined, his spirit re- 
ceived a strong and happy bias in the right direction 
from his earliest years. Good seed sown in the 
heart in early life remaineth, and though the world's 
desolating winter should afterward seem to blight 
and blast what has commenced growing, yet will 
it live, and in due time ripen into a glorious harvest. 
Early religious impressions in the heart are true 
prophets, unceasingly foretelling of good to come, 
and urging toward it. 

Having arrived at the proper age, which, accord- 
ing to the good old Reformed order, was as early 
as the fourteenth year — in his case, it seems to have 
been even earlier — he was admitted to Confirmation, 
and a full communion with the Church in the 
participation of the Holy Supper. At this time 
also, he had already passed through the Gymnasium 
of his native town, which, however, at that time 
aftbrded but limited advantages. He was now 
placed under the instruction of Professor Waegelin.' 
He had not long been under this good man's care, 
when he became restless ; looking longingly toward 
the horizon, his spirit began to feel the stirrings 
of a strong desire to go forth into the wide, wide 

* " LebeDS beschreibungen Sammtticher Evangelischen Geist- 
liechen von der Reformation an ;" in the Library of St. Gall. 
Extracts from this work, and other valuable facts pertaining to 
Mr. Schlatter's early life, have been kindly furnished us by 
Rev. J. Glinz, Reformed Pastor in St. Gall. 



Schlatter's youth. 81 

world — a roving spirit which followed him more 
or less through life, and when properly- restrained 
by a maturer judgment, became an element in his 
uature, which fitted him for his future pioneering 
work. At this time, however, this disposition 
became a snare to him, entangling him in a course 
of conduct not to be justified. He left St. Gall 
without the knowledge of his parents, and went to 
Holland to visit some relatives residing there. 

After having spent a short time with his friends, 
he went to Helmstadt, in the Duchy Brunswick, 
in north-western Germany, where there was a 
University at the time. How long he remained 
there is not known; it was, however, but a brief 
period. From this place he went farther, with a 
travelling companion, named Huerner, of Berne, in 
Switzerland ; after which, he returned to his native 
town of St. Gall, where he placed hims-elf again 
under the tuition of Professor Wiigelin. This whole 
tour he made in a very short time, so that he could 
not have been detained long in any of the places 
he visited. After having studied yet some time 
with Professor Waegelin, on the 10th of April, 1730, 
lacking still a few days of being fourteen years of 
age, he was examined and accepted as a candidate 
for the holy ministry. 

Afterwards he went again to Holland, where he 
was employed for some time as a teacher. On this 
visit he seems to have spent a number of years in 
Holland ; but whether he was all that time employed 
in teaching does not appear. He seems to have 
been inducted fully into the holy office in Holland. 



32 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Returning again to bis native land, he took a 
vicariate with, and under Deacon Briel, in Wigol- 
dingen, in the canton of Thnrgau, where he entered 
upon his duties, "August 17th, 1745. 

He remained but a short time in this situation. 
Toward the close of the year 1745, be became 
Sabbath evening preacher in the church in Linte- 
buehl, a suburb of St. Gall. This situation also, 
he occupied but a short time ; for on the 9th. of 
January, 1746, we find him again leaving his native 
town and country for Amsterdam, in Holland, where 
he offered his services to the Reverend Deputies of 
the Synod of South and IN'orth Holland, for the 
service of the destitute churches in Pennsylvania, 
which were at the time, and had been for some 
years before, calling for help. 

From these facts in his early life, it appears that 
young Schlatter was possessed of an active, some- 
w^hat restless and roving disposition. Tbough these 
characteristics betrayed him into errors of conduct, 
an earnest survey of this period of his life must 
lead us to discover alike in the evil and the good, 
the stirrings of the spirit of an important mission, 
which realized itself in his future labors and success 
in the 'New World. 

In Holland, where he had sojourned for some 
years, intelligence concerning the religious desti- 
tutions among the Germans in America, was con- 
stantly received. From his own Switzerland also, 
many had gone to this distant land of promise, 
who, in letters to their friends, reported the great 
spiritual destitutions which existed in the land 



Schlatter's youth. 33 

of their adoption, and sighed, in sad remembrance, 
after the pleasant sanctuary services, which, in 
former days, they had enjoyed in the shadow of 
their beloved Alps. It was this " sighing of the 
prisoners," that inclined the heart of young 
Schlatter toward a foreign field, and induced him 
to seek a mission to his brethren of the Reformed 
faith in Pennsylvania, whose imploring petitions 
had reached his ear across the roUino; Atlantic.^ 
On the threshold of this mission he now stands. 



^ Ast famam de Pastorum in Pennsylvania penuria audiens, 
et in extraneum Ministerium pronus, ablegatus est. Testinio- 
tiials hy the Deputies at the Hague, Septemher 10th, 1751. See 
Freneni's Past. Saml. Part xii. p. 354. 



CHAPTER II. 

Schlatter's mission to America. 
1746. 

It would not be correct to say that the object of 
Schlatter's mission into this country was to found 
or establish the German Eeformed Church here. 
This can be said of his mission only in a limited 
sense. The Church existed here before his arrival, 
not only in germ, but also with something of a 
history. His mission was rather to organize the 
already existing congregations, to unite them more 
closely with one another, and with the mother 
Church in the Fatherland, so that, by mutual co- 
operation, the infant Church might be more firmly 
established, and more readily supplied with such 
aid as it needed in its weak, scattered, and destitute 
condition. 

Members of the German Eeformed Church began 
to emigrate to Pennsylvania soon after the Pro- 
vince was confirmed to William Penn under the 
Great Seal, which important event took place on 
the 4th of March, 1681. The news of great 
privileges opened up in this mild province of the 
New World was soon heard as good tidings along 
the Rhine and in the quiet valleys of Switzerland. 
As early as 1684 or '85, a society, consisting, at 

first, of ten prominent gentlemen residing at 

(34) 



Schlatter's mission to America. 35 

Frankfort, was formed, called the "Frankfort 
Land Company," the object of which was to send 
out settlers. They purchased large tracts of land ; 
5350 acres in German townships, now German- 
town, and 22,377 acres in Manatawn}^, in Berks 
county. Gradually, other lands were also pur- 
chased by this company, and settlers and settle- 
ments of Germans followed. Though the very 
first Germans in Pennsylvania, who settled at 
Germantown, were Friends, or Quakers, from 
Cresheim, near Worms, in the Palatinate ; yet such 
as were of other faith, soon followed, and among 
them, the greatest number w^ere families of Re- 
formed. 

"^ot long after the first settlement," says a 
venerable document, "many of the oppressed 
inhabitants of Germany, and particularly out of 
the Palatinate, and in the districts of Nassau, 
Waldek, Witgerstein, and Wetteran, emigrated 
to Pennsylvania, with their wives and children, and 
the proceeds of the property which they had sold, 
whether more or less Among them are Mennon- 
ites, Lutherans, and Reformed, but at this time 
(1730,) the Reformed, holding to the Old Reformed 
Confession, constitute more than one half of the 
whole number, being about fifteen thousand."^ 

From this time forward, German emigrations 
continued and increased. Between 1700 and 1746, 
when Schlatter arrived, thousands came in, and 

' Report and instructions by the Synod of South Holland, 
met at Breda in July, 1730. See a Translation by Dr. Dewitt, 
in Ch. Intel. February 1st, 1855. 



36 LIFE. AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

located in the different valleys of ^N'ew Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Even those 
Germans — many of whom were Reformed— who 
first went to England at the invitation of Queen 
Anne, and later emigrated into the Province of 
E"ew York, afterwards, on account of bad treat- 
ment by the civil authorities, left, and came to 
Pennsylvania, to swell the number of Reformed 
already in the Province. 

Many of these emigrants were truly pious, and 
though not able to bring their ministers, brought 
with them their catechisms. Hymn books, and 
other devotional books, and in some cases, also 
pious schoolmasters. They formed congregations 
and schools ; and where they had no ministers, 
sought to edify each other by singing, and listening 
to sermons and prayers read by the schoolmaster. 

In this wa}^ they sought to edify one another, 
and make up, as best they could, for the want of 
regular church ministrations. In various localities, 
germs of congregations were now beginning to 
show an infant growth, and in their healthy, 
though feeble life, to give promise of future good. 
A log church was built at Skippach, in 1726, and 
in many places throughout Eastern and Southern 
Pennsylvania, soon after. Infant congregations, 
worshipping more or less publicly, existed earlier. 
We find Reverends Boehm, AYeiss, Bechtel, Goet- 
schius, Reiger, Wirtz, Dorstius, and Miller, from 
1726 on, extending their labors, in an independent 
way it is true, but with considerable success, over 
various German settlements. When Mr. Schlatter 



Schlatter's mission to America. 37 

arrived, he found some forty-six congregations, 
under organization more or less perfect, and some 
of them numbering a large membership. He esti- 
mated the number of German Reformed in this coun- 
try at that time, to be about thirty thousand, so that 
they had doubled since the year 1730. A similar 
emigration of Lutherans was of course, also going on 
during this period, though not in such great numbers. 
The settlement of the Dutch Reformed in the 
Province of ISTew York vras earlier; and the atten- 
tion of the church in Holland having been turned 
toward their brethren in America, and their affec- 
tionate care being extended over them, they became 
acquainted also, at an early day, with the destitu- 
tions among the Germans in Pennsylvania. There 
were, moreover, settlements of those Germans who 
came in under the patronage of Queen Anne, along 
the ITorth river, and in the valley of the Mohawk, 
as early as 1707. These " built houses and churches, 
and cleared fields and meadows."^ The o:reatest 
number of these, as already mentioned, afterwards 
removed to Pennsylvania, but some remained. 
There were also earlj^ Dutch and German settlers, 
side by side in ISTew Jersey, and even in Bucks 
county, Pennsylvania; so that these brethren of 
the same faith, though they spoke a different 
language, were still not strangers to one another. 
Thus the relio-ious destitutions were to some extent 
at least, on the same territory ; and the Germans 
seeing their Dutch brethren cared for by the Mother 

» Prpf. JCiUfn-s travels in 1748, p, 410. 



38 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

church, were very naturally induced to seek assist- 
ance through the same channel. 

It was in this way also, that the care of the infant 
German Reformed churches in Pennsylvania fell 
under charge of the Classis of Amsterdam. The 
Dutch emigrants were under the immediate patron- 
age of the Directors of the Dutch West India Com- 
pany, who were chiefly citizens of Amsterdam. 
Hence they very naturally sought their aid in pro- 
curing ministers for their churches. The Directors 
of this company, when they received letters from 
the churches in the new colony, immediately placed 
them in the hands of the ministers in that city, as 
the proper persons to attend to these wants. ^ In 
this way, the applications for ministers came 
before the Classis of Amsterdam, which classis, on 
account of its location, in and around the promi- 
nent port, very naturally became the organ through 
which the Synods of Holland extended their care, 
sympathy, and aid, to the colonial churches. On 
account of the praise-worthy zeal with which this 
classis interested itself in the feeble American 
churches, it became also the channel of communi- 
cation between the German Reformed churches of 
the ISTew World, and the Fatherland; so that 
ministers from Germany and Switzerland were 
solicited and received through this channel. 

We find, accordingly, that at a very early day, 
those German Reformed ministers who labored in 
Pennsylvania before the arrival of Schlatter, and 

■ Ger. Ref. Mag. vol. i. p. 17. Hist. Extract from the Dutch 
Kef. Mag. 



SCHLATTER'S MISSION TO AMERICA. oO 

who did not come in through the classis of Am- 
sterdam, were in correspondence with it. In the 
correspondence of the committee of the classis of 
Amsterdam with the ministers of the Reformed 
Dutch churches in N'ew York, from 1725 to 1730, 
there are incidental references to the infant German 
Reformed churches in Pennsylvania, manifestiug 
an interest in them. There are letters extant from 
this classis to Rev. John Philip Boehm, as early as 
1728, and to Weiss, as early as 1731.^ 

It was, however, through the Rev. George Michael 
Weiss, a native of the Palatiuate, on the Rhine, who 
came toAmerica in 1727, sent by the upper consistory 

or classis of the Palatinate, and assisted on his way 
by the classis of Amsterdam, that the w^ants of the 
German Reformed churches in Pennsylvania were 
first presented to the Church of Holland in such a 
way as to call forth its formal action. 

A number of German Reformed members were, 
at that time, emigrating from the Palatinate, and 
the Church Judicatory was moved in commisera- 

» Rev. Dr. Dewitt, Ch. Intel. Sept. 23d, 1852. See also "a 
writing from the classis of Amsterdam to the Ministers and 
Brethren of the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania," in regard 
to Rev. Boehm, in the Author's " Lives and Labors of the 
Fathers of the German Reformed Church in Europe and 
America," embodied in the Life of Rev. J. P. Boehm ; a copy 
of which has been kindly furnished by Rev. Levin T. Reichel, 
from the Bethlehem Archives, where the original is preserved. 
It is dated June 20th, 1729. There is another letter extant 
from the classis of Amsterdam to " the Brethren in Pa.," 
dated Nov. 28th, 1728, which we have not seen. See Ch. Int. 
Sept. 23d, 1852. 



40 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

tion for them and took prompt action in tlieir 
behalf. The result was the sending of Mr. Weiss. 
He arrived in the same ship with about four hun- 
dred emigrants — "natives and late inhabitants of 
the Palatinate upon the Rhine and places adjacent 
emigrating into Pennsylvania, in hope and expecta- 
tion of finding a retreat and peaceable settlement 
therein."^ They settled on Skippach, where a con- 
sistory and congregation was organized, with Mr. 
"Weiss as pastor, and a w^ooden church immediately 
built. Mr. Weiss found, however, that one church 
and his single-handed labors were " sadly insuffi- 
cient to the thousands separated at great distances, 
some a hundred or two hundred miles from each 
other, as they begin to be scattered through the 
whole land."^ He reported the state of things to 
the consistory of the Palatinate, which, in the 
o^^pressed and straitened circumstances of the Ee- 
formed Chm'ch in that country — itself needing 
foreign aid at the time for the support of their 
ministers and schoolmasters — felt inadequate to 
afford, the necessary relief alone. They accordingly 
wrote to the Synods of the Netherlands as early as 
1728, urging the claims of these emigrants upon 
their religious sympathies and assistance.^ Thus, 
at the Synod at Breda, in July, 1730, " there were 
communications from the Upper Consistories of 

' Colonial Records of Penn., vol. iii., p. 283-284. 

^ Report and instructions of the Synod of South Holland, 
July, 1730. 

^ See Letter of the Deputies of the classis of Amsterdam to 
Supt. Wirtz in Zurich, May 3d, 1752. 



Schlatter's mission to America. 41 

Heidelberg, and from the German Reformed in 
Pennsylvania, soliciting the aid and superinten- 
dence of the Synods of Holland in planting 
churches in America.^ 

This gave rise to a pamphlet entitled, ''Report, 
giving information in Relation to the Colony and 
Church of Pennsylvania; composed and published 
by the Deputies of the Reverend Synod of South 
Holland, and the Committee of the Classis of 
Delft and Schieland." This report speaks "of the 
increasing numbers of German immigrants ; gives 
reasons why the Church of Holland should lend a 
helping hand, and take the infant churches under 
their care and protection, by contributing means 
for the building of churches — as five were now 
needed — and bringing them under a common and 
regular order of church government.^ The report 
included in this pamphlet was acted upon by the 
Synod of South Holland, met at Breda, in July, 
1730. Though it was estimated that there were, 
at that time, fifteen thousand German Reformed 
in Pennsylvania, yet still their numbers were an- 
nually increased.^ In 1731, while the Synod was 



1 Dr. Dewitt, Christ. Intel., Feb. 1, 1855. 

2 Rev. Dr. Dewitt in Ch. Intel., Sept. 23a, 1852. 

? " There is besides, in this Province, a vast numbor of 
Palatines, and they come in still every year. Those that have 
come in of late years are mostly Presbyterians, or, as they call 
themselves, Reformed, from the Palatinate being about three- 
fifths of that sort of people. They did use to come to me for the 
baptism of their children, and many have joined with us in the 
other sacrament.'^ — Letter of Rev. Jedidiah Andreics, of 
Philadelpjiia^ to Rev. Thomas Prince, of Boston, dated August 

4 * 



42 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

in session in Dortrecht, eight hundred exiled Pala- 
tines passed through the place to take ships at 
Rotterdam for America. They were visited by the 
whole Synod in a body, and were furnished by them 
with provisions and medicines. After Christian 
exhortation, prayer, and singing, they were dis-- 
niissed with the assurance that they might rely 
upon the Church of Holland for support in their 
new abode. ^ 

From this time forward, to the arrival of Mr. 
Schlatter, a correspondence more or less regular 
was kept up between the German Reformed minis- 
ters in Pennsylvania, and the church of Holland, 
and aid in ministers, schoolmasters, and other means 
expected and received from that country, as well 
as from Germany and Switzerland, chiefly through 
the classis of Amsterdam.'^ 

There is a letter extant addressed by Rev. Weiss 
to the classis of Amsterdam, dated April 29th, 1738, 
in which he alludes to their previous relations; the 
correspondence is recognized as still continuing, 
and he gratefully acknowledges their care for the 
churches in Pennsylvania.^ Rev. Boehm, also, in 

14fh, 1730. See Hazard's Register of Penn.y vol. XV. , pp. 
199-202. 

» Rev. Dr. Dewitt in Ch. Intel., Sept, 23d, 1852. 

^ This classis had a standing committee to attend to the cor- 
respondence and general business in the intervals of its meet- 
ings. These were called Deputies, They sign themselves, in 
the earlier correspondence, " Deputati utriusque Synodi ;" viz : 
of the two Synods of South and North Holland. More fre- 
quently, '^Deputati classis Anstel, ad res externas." 

3 See a copy in Dr. Mayer's MS., vol. i., p. 9. 



Schlatter's mission to America. 43 

transferrin 2: to Holland the minutes of the Ccetus 
of the year 1748, refers to letters which he and his 
co-laborers^ had sent over before Rev. Schlatter's, 
replies to which they had expected him to bring. 

From the time when the church of Holland was 
first formally interested in behalf of the German 
Reformed emigrants in Pennsylvania, through the 
church of the Palatinate in 1730, it manifested a 
praise-worthy diligence for its comfort and relief. 
Through the classis of Amsterdam, and by direct 
efiibrt, the Synods of :N'orth and South Holland 
earnestly sought reliable information in regard to 
their wants, and the best way of afibrding them 
relief. We find that in the year 1743, they wrote 
to the Presbyterian Synod of Philadelphia, through 
Eev. Dorstius, of Bucks county, presenting in- 
quiries and proposals in reference to the Dutch and 
German churches.^ 



^ " Unserea letzten Briefe/'&c. See minutes, 1748. The 
original is in possession of Rev. Dr. Dewitt. See a copy in my 
vol. of MS. collections ; also in Dr. Mayer's MS., vol. i., p. 10-14. 

2 " The Rev. Mr. Dorstius, pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
Church in Bucks county, laid a letter before us from the depu- 
ties of North and South Holland, wherein they desire of the 
Synod an account of the state of the High and Low Dutch 
churches in this Province, and also of the churches belonging 
to the Presbyterian Synod of Philadelphia, and whether the 
Dutch churches may be joined in communion with said Synod ; 
or, if this may not be, that they would form themselves into a 
regular body and government among themselves. In pur- 
suance of this letter, the Synod agree that letters be wrote in 
the name of the Synod to the deputies of these Synods in Hol- 
land in Latin, and to the Scotch ministers in Rotterdam, giving 
them an account of the churches here, and declaring our wil- 



44 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

So much it was deemed necessary to say in re- 
gard to the state and history of the German Re- 
formed churches in Pennsylvania, previous to the 
arrival of Mr. Schlatter, to enable us to gain a 
clear and correct view, both of the necessit}^ and 
nature of such a mission as was entrusted to him. 

The number of ministers at that early day, was 
small; and they labored in an almost entirely 
isolated way. The churches were weat, lay remote 
from one another, and were exposed to the inroads 
of unworthy and unordained ecclesiastical vagrants, 
as there was no general organization to keep watch. 
There were no means of educating ministers for 
the German churches in this country, and in case 
one with proper piety and theological attainments 
presented himself, it was very difficult to procure 
regular ordination for him.' Nor was there any 
proper organ through which the churches could 
present their wants to the Mother Church in Europe, 
and by which such help as should be provided, in 
men and means, could be properly and efficiently 
applied. In short, organization was needed, and 

lingness to join with Calvinist Dutch churches hero to assist 
each other as far as possible in promoting the common interests 
of religion among us, and signifying the present great want of 
ministers among the High and Low Dutch, with the desire 
that they may help in educating men for the work of the min- 
istry. And Synod ordered that Messrs. Andrews, Cross, 
Evans, jr., and the Moderator, do write said letters." — Records 
i)f the Presb. Church, p. 174. Ads of the Synod of PhUadel- 
phia, May 23d, 1744. 

* Rev. Goetschius, Wirtz, and Miller, received ordination 
I'rom the Presbyterians. 



Schlatter's mission to America. 45 

to this end, an organizer was necessary — one 
who should come with authority from the Mother 
church, with definite plans and proposals, according 
to which aid was to be furnished, and with the 
necessary qualifications for superintending the work 
of gathering and consolidating the American 
church, and bringing it into a condition to be 
generally and permanently benefited by the aid 
which was ready to be furnished for that purpose. 
Mr. Schlatter having, as stated in the previous 
chapter, appeared in Amsterdam, presented himself 
before the Deputies of the Synods of South and 
Korth Holland, and been approved by them, he 
received the necessary credentials and instructions 
carefully and particularly drawn out. His duties, 
as more particularly defined in his instructions, 
included the following points : 

1. He was to visit the difierent settlements through- 
out which the Reformed sheep were scattered, to 
gather and organize them into churches where this 
was not already done, and where imperfectly 
organized congregations existed, to induce them to 
designate proper persons as Elders and Deacons, 
whom he was to ordain and instal, and thus orga- 
nize consistories — he was at the same time to preach 
to them on his visits, administer the Holy Supper, 
baptize their children, prepare proper church 
records, and record the names of the members and 
their baptized children. 

2. He was to ascertain what amount each con- 
gregation could and would give annually toward 
sustaining a minister who should be sent among 



46 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

them, and take their definite pledge for the sum 
promised ; and where he found any one congrega- 
tion too small and poor to pledge an adequate 
amount, he was to induce them to unite with the 
nearest neighboring congregations, and thus to 
form charges of as many churches as could con- 
veniently be combined under the care of one 
minister. 

3. He was to visit the ministers already in the 
field, enlist their sympathies and cooperation in his 
mission, to promote concord of action among them, 
and to form an annual Coetus, or Synod, of the 
existing Ministers and Elders, for the oversight of 
the churches, and as a responsible organ for the 
transmission of annual reports to the Synods of 
Holland. 

4. He was to pay annual visits to the ministers 
and consistories, to enquire into the state of the 
churches : whether any difficulties existed, whether 
they adhered to the faith and customs of the church, 
whether the salary was adequate, punctually paid, 
and from what source it was derived ? He was to 
make a report of these visits to the Coitus w^hen 
formed, and through it to the Synods of Holland. 

5. When this work should be accomplished, he 
was to preach as the other pastors, in such congre- 
gations as might call him, having at the same 
time an eye also to such destitute points as should 
from time to time come to his knowledge. 

Such was the nature of Schlatter's mission — a 
much needed, great, and good w^ork. 

He had arrived in Holland in January. During 



SCHLATTER'S MISSION TO AMERICA. 47 

the winter, all the preliminaries were arranged. 
With the opening spring came the time to sail. 
His instructions are dated May 23d, 1746 ; and on 
the 1st day of June, he went on board, committing 
himself first to the protection of his Father in 
Heaven, and then to the winds and the waves, 
which, as His own angels, "do His commandments, 
hearkening unto the voice of His Word." 



CIIAPTEE III. 

Schlatter's first labors in America. 

1746-1751. 

His voyage was prosperous, thougli it was not 
made without some peril. As particulars are given 
in his Journal, it is not necessary to record them 
here. After a voyage of just two months, he 
arrived at Boston on the 1st of August, 1746, 
whence he proceeded by way of Newport and ISiew 
York to Philadelphia, w^hich place he reached in 
health and safety on the 6th day of September. 

On his arrival at Philadelphia, Mr. Schlatter was 
very kindly welcomed by the Elders of the German 
Reformed Church, one of whom received him into 
his house, where he lived and boarded, whenever 
he was not absent on missionary journeys, for a 
period of eight months. The congregation there, 
was at that time served once a month by Rev. 
John Philip Boehm, who resided at Witpen, in 
w^hat is now Montgomery county. The congrega- 
tion numbered about one hundred members, and 
since 1734 had worshipped in a rented building;^ 

' This was a frame building, which had once been a barn, 
but had been converted into a church by the Reformed. " Bis- 
hieher," says Schlatter, in 1747, " ist die Gemeinde in ein altes 
Kleines Ha us von Bretteren aufgeschlas;en gegangen vom yahr 

(48) 



HIS FIRST LABOKS IN AMERICA. 49 

but were at the time, erecting a stone church on the 
site of the present Race street church. 

Mr. Schlatter found Philadelphia the next town 
in size to Boston. It lay snugly fastened with one 
side to the Delaware, and contained something over 
10,000 inhabitants. It was a little more than a 
mile long up and down the Delaware, and one-half 
a mile w^ide. It contained seven streets lengthwise 
north and south, in which a small one, named 
"Water street, is not reckoned. It had also seven 
streets running east and west. The churches were : 
1. The English church. 2. The Swedish church. 

3. The German Evangelical (Lutheran) church. 

4. The old Presbyterian church. 5. The German 
Reformed church. Besides two Quaker meeting- 
houses, one Anabaptist, one Roman Catholic, and 
one Moravian church. " The old German Reformed 
church," sa^'s Prof. Kalm, a Swedish traveller, in 
1748, " is situated in the north-western part of the 
town, and resembles in its construction the church 
m Ladugords-place, in Stockholm. It is not yet 
entirely finished, although they have preached in 
it for some years." The same w^riter says : " The 
German Reformed have their grave-yard to one 
side without the town, and not at the church." 

1734 im November, mit der Lutherischen Gemeinde ein Sontag 
um den anderen. Hernach aber, nach dem die Evangelischen 
sine Kirche vorx Steinen Anno 1744 gebaut haben, allein, und 
bezahlten yiihrlich an Ilerrn William Allen die Summa von 
£4." This church stood "in der Arch strict bey dem Quaker 
Kirchhof.'' Another description says it stood " in Mulberry 
street, near fifth street,", which is the same. Hazard's Ileg. 
vol. iv. p. 3G9. 
5 



50 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

This was the north-east corner of the present 
Franklin square, which was at that time, outside 
of the town. Such were the narrow limits of 
Philadelphia when Mr. Schlatter entered it. The 
small spot which then constituted "the town," 
would be somewhat difficult to find amid the 
immense wilderness of houses and beings of the 
Philadelphia which now is. 

Though Mr. Schlatter made his home in Phila- 
delphia from his arrival till he left on his mission 
to Europe, late in the year 1750, yet he was not 
much at home. Much of his time was taken up 
in missionary visits through E'ew Jersey, Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland, and Virginia, of w^hich we will 
not here speak, as a fall account of these travels 
and toils is given in his Journal. 

Previous to Mr. Schlatter's arrival, as already 
mentioned, the congregation in Philadelphia was 
visited once a month by Rev. Mr. Boehm. This 
was, however, too little service for them, and too 
inconvenient to the venerable man who had a 
large field beside, and lying distant from it. Mr. 
Schlatter took early measures, with the full consent 
of Mr. Boehm, to unite the congregation at Ger- 
mantown ^ with Philadelphia into a charge, to be 

^ A German Reformed congregation had existed at German- 
town much earlier than this. It had been served by Rev. 
Johannes Bechtel, who was a German Reformed minister in 
this county, as early as 1727. This congregation had, however, 
been vacant for some years. A very interesting position did 
this Bechtel occupy in those early times. See the Author's 
"Lives and Labors of the Fathers of the German Reformed 
Church in Europe and America." 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 5l 

served by one minister. This arrangement was 
completed on the 18th of September, 1746 ; but as 
there was no one to take regular charge of them, 
they were supplied jointly b3^Boehm and Schlatter 
— the latter preaching for them whenever he was 
not absent on journeys. 

Meanwhile, these united congregations became 
daily more anxious for a regular pastor. They 
made an earnest application to Mr. Schlatter, pre- 
senting him with a unanimous call. Mr. Boehm, 
who, on account of advanced age and increasing 
infirmities, was anxious to be released from this 
care, urged upon Mr. Schlatter to yield to their 
solicitations, which he at length did, upon condi- 
tion that Mr, Boehm would continue to visit them 
monthly for six months longer, that he might con- 
tinue his missionary journeys through the interior. 
Accordingly, on 'New Year's da}^ 1747, Mr. Boehm 
installed him in Philadelphia as regular pastor of 
that congregation. Later — having, in the mean- 
time, made a journey to several churches in Eastern 
Pennsylvania — on the 15th of February, Mr. Boehm 
also installed him in the congregation of German- 
town. From this time on, he served them as much 
as he could, while he continued his visits and w^ork 
among the scattered congregations of the country. 
He, however, declined receiving any salary for the 
first year, "in order," he says, "that by deed I 
might convince them that I did not serve them 
merely for the sake of my bread." 

The summer of 1747 was spent in various ex- 
tended missionary visits, for the purpose of preach- 



52 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

ing, baptizing children, and administering the 
Holy Supper in vacant congregations, and organ- 
izing them into charges with a view of locating 
pastors as fast as they could be procured. Mean- 
while, as often as he could, he returned to Phila- 
delphia to minister to his charge. 

Having sought out a companion for life, he 
entered into the bonds of holy matrimony on the 
11th of October, 1747, with Maria Henrica Schlei- 
dorn, daughter of Henry Schleidorn and Elizabeth, 
his wife, whose maiden name was Tonaillier.^ This 
family was formerly from the city of Hamburg, in 
Germany, but then resided in New York. He 
frequently alludes to his companion in the tender- 
est manner, which furnishes the best evidence that 
he was devoted to her and she to him, that Provi- 
dence had directed his choice, and that she had 
proved herself a "helpmeet" in his labors, and a 
true consolation amid his various trials and cares. 

Agreeably to his instructions, Mr. Schlatter had 
early turned his attention towards the organization 
of a regular Synod, feeling that in this way only 
could he render his labors and success efficient and 
permanent. Accordingly, as early as the autumn 
of 1746, he had already consulted with the four 
regular German Reformed ministers in Pennsyl- 
vania, Boehm, "Weiss, Peiger, and Dorstius, on 
the subject, and invited them to meet in Philadel- 

^ Mr. Schleidorn was a prominent and -v^'ealthy merchant in 
New York. I have seen the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Schlei- 
dorn. They are preserved in the family of his grandson, Mr. 
Snyder, of Manayunk, now deceased. 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 53 

phia on the 12th of October. This meeting took 
place at the appointed time, and all were present 
except Mr. Dorstius, who was providentially de- 
tained, but greeted, the assembly by a friendly 
letter. This was the first time these ministers had 
been together, though some of them had already 
labored for twenty years in the American field. 
It does not seem that they entered into a regular 
orirauization at this first meetins:, but conferred 
together on the interests of the churches, and 
drew up some "Articles of Peace,"' which were 
signed by all, and no doubt intended as a prelimi- 
nar}^ step to a future s^modical organization. This 
meeting was a delightful and profitable one, uniting 
their hearts in tender Christian love, strengthening 
them for their labors, and filling the destitute 
churches with hope and encouragement. 

Mr. Schlatter felt that as the organization of a 
Synod was a matter of great importance, so it 
was also a matter of great solemnity, and should 
be approached with proper deliberation and prepa- 
ration. On the 22d of May, 1747, he visited :^ew 
York, "in order to confer with the Reverend min- 
isters there in regard to the founding of a Synod 
of the German congregations in these regions."^ 

During the summer of 1747, Mr. Schlatter con- 
tinued his usual visits through the interior, taking 
occasion to speak with ministers and elders on the 
subject of a Synod. In the month of August, he 

^ "Audi durch Unterschreibung gewisser aufgesetzter 
Friedens-Artickel bekraftigte." Schlatter's Journal, p. 3G. 
2 Schlatter's Journal, p. 46. 







54 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

" addressed circular letters to all the ministers and 
elders of the German lieformed congregations to 
invite them in the most friendly and fraternal 
manner to attend the first ecclesiastical Synod or 
Assemhl}^, which was contemplated to be held on 
the 29th of September in this year." The day, 
toward which Mr. Schlatter had looked forward 
with great interest, arrived. Thirty-one, including 
ministers and elders, convened in Mr. Schlatter's 
house, from whence, at 9 o'clock in the morning, 
they proceeded to the Church, where the Rev. 
J. B. Reiger opened the Synod with a sermon, 
founded on the one hundred and thirty-third Psalm 
— a very appropriate text for such an occasion. In 
the afternoon, at two o'clock, the first session was 
commenced, ''which was opened with prayer and 
closed with thanksgiving — the same was also done 
at every subsequent session." ^ Thus the Synod 
of the German Reformed Church was happily or- 
ganized in Philadelphia, September 29th, in the 
year of our Lord, 1747. 

It may not be an unnecessary digression here to 
record that the ministers of the Dutch Reformed 
Church were, at the same time, engaged in the 
preliminaries for the organization of an ecclesias- 
tical Judicatory or Coetus in this country. As 
earl}" as 1737, there was a meeting composed of 
'^YQ Dutch ministers held at JSTew York. "At this 
meeting, the plan of a Coetus or assembly of min- 
isters and elders, subordinate to the Classis of 
Amsterdam, was first proposed, matured, and des- 

' Schlatter's Jonvnjil, p. 10. 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 55 

patched to the different churches for their concur- 
rence." A second meeting was held, April 27th, 
1738 ; also at l^ew York, at which nine ministers 
and eleven elders were in attendance.^ '' At this 
meeting, such reports were received from the 
churches to which the plan of a Ccetus had been 
sent, as induced those present to ratify and adopt 
it. The plan, thus adopted, was immediately sent 
over to the Classis of Amsterdam for the approba- 
tion of that body. Whether this plan was at first 
disagreeable to the Synod, or whether other cir- 
cumstances occasioned the delay, is not known ; 
but it does not appear that the approbation of the 
Classis reached this country until the latter end of 
the year 1746, or the beginning of 1747 ; for it was 
not until the month of May, 1747, that a meeting 
was called in the city of ISI^ew York to receive the 
letter from the Classis, declaring their concur- 
rence.^ It seems likely, from the dates, that Mr. 
Schlatter was present at this meeting. This was 
a very small assemblj^, only six ministers being 
present. Little else was done besides appointing 
the second Tuesday of the following September for 
the meeting of the first Coctus, to be held in the 
city of New York. When the day arrived, there 
were present seven ministers and as many Elders. 
Two others were prevented from attending, but 
sent in their good wishes to the plan. One more 

1 Among them was the Hev. John Ph. Boehm, from Pennsyl- 
vania, with his Elder. 

" See a brief History of the Dutch Reformed Chiireh in 
America, copied from the "Dutch Reformed Mngazine." Glt. 
Pvef. Mag., vol. i., p. 88. 



66 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was favorable to it, but could not prevail on bis 
congregation to accede to it. Four were absent as 
decidedly opposed to tbe project. Thus was orga- 
nized the first Judicatory, higher than a consistorj^, 
in the Reformed Dutch Church in America, on the 
14th of September, 1747 — just 15 days previous to 
the organization of the German Reformed Synod, 
in Philadelphia.^ 

The remainder of this year, 1747, Mr. Schlatter 
divided as before, between serving his charge and 
making missionary visits into the interior. On the 
6th of December, the new church in Philadelphia 
was so far finished as to be used for preaching, 
though it had as yet neither windows nor pulpit. 
Yet it was necessary to use it, inasmuch as the 
number of hearers had so much increased, that the 
old church could no more contain over one-half 
who attended.^ That such a crowd of anxious 
hearers came together in a windowless church in 
December, is not modern, but belongs to the palmy 
days of stern ancestorial times. 

^ The Synod of the Lutheran church was organized in Phila- 
delphia nearly a year later, August 14th, 1748. See Razelius : 
History of the American Lutheran Church, p. 66. 

2 " Den 6ten Decembris also auf dem Zweiten Advent Sontag, 
Nicolaus Tag, hat der Schreiber dieses Michael Schlatter, 
Pediger allhier das erste mahl in der neueren Steineren 
Sechsckigten Reformerlcn Kirche auf dem Rees plaatz, uber 
die worte David in dem Ixv Psalm den 3ten vers niit Gottes 
Gnad und Beistand geprediget. Allein die Kirche war noch 
nicht geplastert, und hatte noch zur zeit weder gallerie noch 
fenstern." Becorda of Fhila. church. This church had also a 
steeple. 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 57 

Daring the first four months of the year 1748, 
Mr. Schlatter was mostly engaged in his charge ; 
making out a full list of the members, catechising 
the children, and uniting and consolidating the 
congregation. The effects of this labor were seen 
at the Easter communion, when the number of 
communicants had risen from 100 to 171. During 
the remainder of this year, Mr. Schlatter was 
engaged in the same manner as heretofore; full 
particulars of which will be found in his Journal. 
In August, he was greatly refreshed by the arrival 
of Rev. Mr. Hochreutiner and Rev. Bartholomaas ; 
and about a month later, his joy was increased by 
the arrival of Rev. John Philip Leidich. On the 
29th of September, the second annual Synod was 
held in Philadelphia, consisting of six ministers 
and twelve Elders. It " was favorably commenced 
and harmoniously continued," says Mr. Schlatter, 
''with solemn prayer and thanksgiving to God." 
After a session of seven days, the S3mod adjourned 
on the 5th of October in the afternoon. An 
abstract of the proceedings of this Synod is still 
extant.^ Soon after Synod, Mr. Schlatter was 
deeply saddened by the sudden death of Rev. Mr. 
Hochreutiner, who accidentally lost his life by the 
discharge of a gun in his own hands, in Mr. 
Schlatter's house ! Particulars of which sad event 
will be found in his Journal. Thus he could well 
add at the close of the year 1748 : " This year has 

' The original, in the hand-writing of Mr. Boehm, President 
of Coetus, I have seen. It is in possession of Kev. Dr. De Witt, 
of New York. 



58 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

been safely passed, under the divine blessing, yet 
not without some bitter minglings of sorrow." 

In the year 1749, Mr. Schlatter, besides attending 
to his congregations, made many journeys to the 
churches in the interior, having been, as will be 
seen in his Journal, in labors most abundant. On 
the 27th of September, the Coetus was to be held 
in Lancaster. After Eev. Leidich had opened 
Coetus by a sermon, news came that Rev. John 
Conrad Steiner from Winterthur in Switzerland, 
had arrived in Philadelphia on the 25th, with 
regular credentials from the Deputies of the Synods 
of Holland. This announcement gave the members 
much joy. Expecting that he had brought import- 
ant papers from the Fathers, which needed the 
action of Coetus, they concluded to adjourn, and 
meet in Philadelphia on the 20th of October. 

On the 29th of September, Mr. Schlatter returned 
to Philadelphia, with request at the same time, to 
bear a call from the congregation at Lancaster — 
which had been vacant for a length of time, and 
was anxiously waiting for a minister — to the newly 
arrived minister to become their pastor. Mr. 
Schlatter, on his return, found Rev. Mr. Steiner in 
Philadelphia, and " welcomed him in the most 
friendly and fraternal manner." On the first day 
of October, the call from Lancaster, properly made 
out and signed, was presented to Mr. Steiner, which 
he accepted, regarding it as a divine call.' On 
the 3d, Mr. Steiner wrote a letter to Lancaster, 

* "Welches er annahn, und vor einen Gottlichen Beruf 
hielte." See Saurs' Paper, Jan. IGth, 1750. 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 59 

expressing his willingness to visit them on the 15tb. 
On the 6th, Mr. Schlatter also wrote to Lancaster, 
informing officers of the church, that Mr. Steiner 
would come, and requesting them to make an 
appointment for him for the 15th ; he also requests 
them to send a horse for him, as he was now ready 
every hour to go ; and lest, on account of the 
uncertainty of the mail, his first letter might not 
reach him, and so the appointment not be made, 
he wrote them another letter of the same import 
by the next day's mail. He assures them that Mr. 
Steiner came in on the same footino^ as the other 
ministers that had been sent in — that he brousjht 
proper recommendations to him, with request that 
he should assign him a convenient congregation, 
and afterwards instal him, and that he was worthy 
of their confidence. In concluding his first letter, 
he says to the Elders of Lancaster : " Receive then 
this, my worthy brother in the Lord, with becoming 
love and respect ; pray to God publicly in the con- 
gregation, that He may unite all hearts to him in 
love, and in the fear of God." ^ 

Such was the open-hearted spirit with which Mr- 
Schlatter received the newly arrived minister, and 
such the interest which he manifested in his welfare 
and future usefulness. But a gloomy scene opens; 
and the result shows how such confidence and 
kindness were repaid ! He whom Mr. Schlatter 
thus received with sincere joy, became to him the 
occasion of many sorrows. 

The congregation at Lancaster being anxious to 

* See orisinal Documents. 



60 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

obtain Mr. Steiner as their Pastor, at two different 
times sent a liorse for him. The first time, his 
wife was sick, so that he did not feel inclined to 
leave. On the 20th of October, when Synod was 
in session, though confined to bed by sickness at 
the time, he still professed his willingness to go to 
Lancaster, expressing himself to that effect to a 
committee of Coetus, who waited on him to know 
his mind, and also to two Elders from Lancaster, 
who were in attendance to represent the wishes of 
the congregation, and urge him to become their 
pastor. 

Having recovered from his sickness, he however 
still delayed in Philadelphia; and soon events 
began to transpire, which brought his private de- 
sires to light, and perfectly explained his reluctance 
to go to Lancaster. It was ascertained that he 
favored, if he did not even suggest, a secret move- 
ment which had for its end, to displace Mr. Schlatter 
in Philadelphia, and introduce himself as pastor in 
his place. He remained in Philadelphia ; on the 
one hand acting undecidedly in reference to Lan- 
caster, and on the other, at first privately, and at 
length openly encouraged some of the Elders of 
Philadelphia and Germantown in the formation of 
a party of malcontents against Mr. Schlatter, 
cherishing the ambition of being located in the 
metropolis of Pennsylvania. The unholy fire of 
strife continued to increase, and it seems there was 
no lack of material with which to keep up the 
flame. Strange as it may seem, there were many in 
the two congregations which Mr. Schlatter had taken 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 61 

under his care in their destitution, and which he had 
nurtured with much labor and care, who were 
willing to cooperate with Mr. Steiner — who also 
had received only kindness at his hands — to scatter 
his labor by introducing contention, and to embitter 
his life by opposition and strife. 

Becoming weary at length of the trouble thus 
caused him, Mr. Schlatter had made up his mind, 
near the close of the year 1749, to withdraw from 
a scene of confusion for which he had no taste. 
He even went so far as to attempt to preach his 
farewell sermon. He selected as his text, Christ's 
lamentation over Jerusalem, Matt, xxiii. 37-39; 
but he was so overcome by his feelings, that he 
could not proceed. He paused, turned to Matt. x. 
14, and read, "And whosoever shall not receive 
you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of 
that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet," 
after which he came down from the pulpit, and 
left the church with a sad heart. 

As however, it was still uncertain how the 
members were divided between him and Mr. Steiner, 
and many adhered firmly and affectionately to their 
old pastor, he was prevailed upon not to withdraw. 
The matter was, however, soon after brought to a 
decision, when it appeared that in Germantown, 
the largest number had been brought over to the 
side of Mr. Steiner; and in Philadelphia, Mr. 
Schlatter had only 110 votes, while there were 140 
favorable to Mr. Steiner. It seems, however, that 
the vote in favor of Mr. Steiner was swelled by 
unlawful means ; for it appears, from the statistics 
6 



62 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of the congregation during several previous years, . 
that the congregation could count few, if any more 
members than the number voting for Mr. Schlatter. 
Mr. Steiner was possessed of popular pulpit talents, 
which no doubt captivated a certain class of out- 
siders. Mr. Schlatter's preaching, on the other hand, 
was rather solid than showy. Many a good man 
has been inconsiderately sacrificed by being brought 
into such disparagement. There are men who in 
this respect resemble butterflies, which hover in- 
toxicated over flowers, but never wait for fruit. 

To carry out and complete an apparent victory, 
the 14th of Januarj^, 1750, was appointed as the 
day on which Mr. Steiner w^as to preach his intro- 
ductory sermon. On the day and hour, both parties 
met in the church. Those who adhered to the old 
pastor were there earlier than the others. Having 
elected new officers, and the congregation having 
together engaged to sustain Mr. Schlatter as their 
pastor, he proceeded to ordain and instal their 
officers. There were civil officers present who 
preserved order, and the regular services of the 
occasion, including preaching, were ended without 
disturbance. Two weeks later, on the 28th, Mr. 
Steiner made another attempt to preach his intro- 
ductory sermon. lie went to the church for that 
purpose before the time on that day, under conduct 
of twenty-four men, and entered the pulpit. "When 
Mr. Schlatter arrived, many had collected in and 
around the church, expecting a tumult; but a 
number of civil officers were on the spot to main- 
tain order. Mr. Schlatter calmly requested Mr. 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 63 

Steiner, in the name of God, to come out of liis 
pulpit ; which, however, he refused to do, and made 
an eflbrt to commence the services. Confusion and 
' controversy between the two parties ensued, which 
continued for about two hours, though without 
any violence. The result was a mutual agreement 
that the key of the church should be placed in dis- 
interested hands, and that neither party should 
hold service there, till the question as to who had 
the proper claim to the church should be settled. 
In the interval, from the 10th of February till the 
4th of March, Mr. Schlatter and his people by kind 
invitation of that congregation, worshipped twice 
a Sabbath in the Eev. Gilbert Tennant's church, 
in what was called Whitfield's buildino-. 

The Steiuer party characteristically insisted that 
no Justice, Lawyer, or Minister should have any- 
thing to say in the settlement of the difficulty, 
fanatically contending that they could expect no 
justice from such hands. Both parties agreed that 
six men, five of whom should be Quakers, and one 
an Episcopahan, should judge the matter between 
them, and bring the trouble to an end. Both 
parties bound themselves in the sum of c£ 2,000 
to abide by the decision of these men as a finality. 
This committee spent three weeks in the investiga- 
tion and consideration of this unpleasant difficulty, 
and manifested a very laudable desire to do justice, 
and allay the strife between alienated brethren. 
At the close of their deliberations, on the 6th of 
March, they decided in favor of Mr. Schlatter and 
the members adhering to him ; restoring to them 



64 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

tliG possession of the church. The aggressing 
party yielded to what was thus dehberately pro- 
nounced to be justice ; and on the 10th of March, we 
find Mr. Schlatter and his congregation, numbering 
now 120 members, again holding regular divine 
worship without molestation. 

Mr. Steiner's party, numbering now about 170, 
took immediate measures to build him a house, 
which should at the same time answer the purpose 
of a church, or meeting-house. This building was 
erected some distance from the other church, and 
Mr. Steiner "was hired for one year only," the 
congregation having resolved that this should be a 
rule with them " that the minister might have no 
opportunity of becoming a master over them," 
refering to Matthew xxiii. 6-12.^ From this little 
fact, a thoughtful person will learn much of the 
general spirit w^hich animated these misguided 
people. 

This unfortunate strife was very painful to Mr. 
Schlatter. He felt that he had been injured by one, 
toward whom he had dealt in the spirit of open- 
hearted kindness, and had received ungrateful 
treatment from those for whose spiritual good he 
had labored one whole year without any pecuniary 
renumeration, and all the time amid much incon- 
venience and self-denial. Yet he seldom alluded 
to the unpleasant occurrence ; and when circum- 
stances made it necessary for him to speak of it, 
he always did it in a subdued spirit, and with true 
Christian meekness. 

* Saur's paper, March IGth, 1750. Also Prof. Kalm, p. 193. 



niS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 65 

Mr. Schlatter most of all regretted that this 
difficulty miide it necessary for him to spend among 
his i^eople in Philadelphia, much of that time which 
he otherwise could have devoted to his usual visits 
to destitute regions in the interior. During the 
whole of the summer and autumn of 1750, he felt 
embarrassed on account of it in his general labors 
and enterprises ; still he kept up his care for the 
infant church in general, and made several visits 
and explorations in the fall of the year. 

Saddest of all was the effect of this strife upon 
the interests of the church in Philadelphia. The 
old congregation was enfeebled, harassed, and dis- 
heartened. The secessionists could retain Mr. 
Steiner scarcely two years, w^hen he withdrew, and 
confined his labors to Germantown alone. Mr. 
Schlatter, at the request of Ccetus, undertook a 
voyage and mission to the churches in Europe, in 
behalf of the feeble and needy churches in this 
country, and his congregation had to be left to the 
care of occasional supplies from ministers who 
resided at a distance. True to its nature, strife 
proved itself self-consuming, and the poor Eeformed 
of Philadelphia were fairly in the midst of a war, 
and a woe, which fed upon their peace for the space 
of nearly ten years ! 

Thus will ambition reign or ruin ; and thus will 
those who lend themselves to its unholy purposes 
become fuel for its fires. As in all strifes of the 
kind, there was no doubt much wrong on both 
sides that rightfully incurred the displeasure of 
Gocl, and invited His just judgments; but that Mr. 



66 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Schlatter was in the right and Mr. Steiner in tlie 
wrong, is beyond a question. Mr. Steiner's conduct 
was highly ungrateful, and his effort to draw the 
congregations to -himself an intrusion unworthy of 
a minister of the Gospel — wrong in itself and 
ruinous in its fruits. Though he possessed many 
excellent qualities of mind and heart, yet he 
possessed also a weakness w^hich led him forward 
in a course of conduct that brought upon him the 
censure and blame of all who impartially judged 
in the case.^ The Coetus decided against him, the 
six arbitrators decided against him, and the 
authorities in Holland, before whom the whole 
matter was regularly brought, decided against him. 
Even his best friends censured his course.^ So 
plainly were he and his friends in the wrong. 
How w^onderful is that economy of wisdom, in 

^ Prof. Kalm, speaking of Mr, Schlatter, says " In 1750, he had 
to endure vexation brought upon him by the arrival of another 
minister lately come in from Holland, who by artifice and all 
kinds of detraction, so insinuated himself into the favor of a 
portion of his hearers, that more than one-half were won over 
to his side." Kalm, pp. 192, 193. 

2 Mr. Otterboin, whom he regarded as his particular friend, 
and who in general deeply sympathised with him, blamed him 
in this as being in the wrong. In a letter to Mr. Steiner, dated 
Aug. 18th, 1759, in which he disapproves of his suffering him- 
self to be recalled to Philadelphia, he says, " To speak plainly 
upon the matter, I can just as little regard your present call to 
Philadelphia as being divine, as I am convinced of the opposite 
in regard to the first. Then you lamented that you labored in 
vain. What offence and disturbance did it then occasion ! But 
has all this, together with the disinclination towards your 
person, now subsided ?'' 



HIS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 67 

wliich even the wrath of man is made to praise 
God. A dark side, as well as a bright one, has the 
pillar which shows Israel the way to deliverance 
and rest. While there were other matters which 
strongly pressed in that direction, this sad occur- 
rence had mucli to do — perhaps was the determin- 
ing weight^ — in hastening, if not wholly bringing 
about, Schlatter's visit to Europe, which followed 
in the beginning of the year 1751, and from whicb 
succeeded such vast results for good to the German 
Reformed churches in this country. This gloomy 
desolation wrought in the smaller circle of his own 
pastoral charge was the occasion, if not the cause, 
*^ of opening to him a door for far more extended 
usefulness to the church in general. This the con- 
tinuation of our narrative will show. 

^"Weilen die betriibten umbstande hiesiger Philadelphis- 
clier und anderer Reformirten gemeinen in unserem Pennsyl- 
yanien uns unter ordnung stehende und mit Gottes Bcistand 
bestandig daran halten wollende Pedigergedrungen abormahlen 
eine coetuale versammlung alhier in Philadelphia auf die unten 
Benante zeit (December 13th, 1750) zu halten, um abhUlf 
liche wege zusamen zu erfinden, M-ie diesem elend zu steuercn 
sei, und dabei Kein bequemeres Mittle und Weg gcfunden 
worden, als Seiner- Wohl Ehrwurden Ilr. Pfarrer Schlatter auf 
zu tragen, aufs eheste eine Reise auf Holland zu thun, und 
daselbst bei denen Ilochwurdigen Sjnoden, als unsere Iloch- 
zuehrende liebe Kirchen \attern gehiirige vorstellung zu 
niachcn, um zu sehen, ob wir mit in diesen so ver virreten 
umstanden mit Ilulfe und Rath von dannen Kanten versehen 
werden, als woran -wir dann auch unter Gottes segen und 
willen nicht Zweifflen.''' Letter of the officers of Ccetns to the 
congregation at Lancaster, inviting them to send by Rev. 
Schlatter for a minister, dated Phila. December 13th, 1750. 
See a copy in Dr. Mayer's MSS. vol. ii. p. 44. 



68 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

We cannot conclude this chapter without a 
reflection on the sin and misery of strife in a con- 
gregation, and among brethren. ^N'ot only npon 
those by whom the offence cometb is there a woe, 
but upon those also who are innocent in its occur- 
rence, yea, "woe unto the world" also, says our 
Saviour, "because of offences." The ungodly, 
out of the church, are injured in proportion as 
strife in the church confirms them in their sinful 
position and course. A strife, which a small 
amount of prudence and forbearance might prevent, 
it often takes years to cure, and when it is healed, 
the scars remain. " The beginning of strife is as 
when one letteth out water." 

How well it would be if those who are the actors 
in a religious strife could see its unloveliness, sin- 
fulness, and vanity, as those do who look calmly 
on, and especially as it appears to those who review 
it when fleeting years have caused the scene to 
recede into the distant past. There it stands, a 
picture in a solemn back-ground. The passion 
and the noise have passed away, while the evil and 
the shame alone rise before us without excuse or 
extenuation. "While we have no doubt that the 
blood which takes aw^ay sin, has sweetly covered 
these follies of our forefathers, yet to us remains 
the sorrow which their remembrance brings. We 
ask, w^here are those earnest contenders of a 
century ago ? and the answer which comes over 
the silence of years is. Quietly and peaceably to- 
gether lie their ashes beneath the green sod of 



niS FIRST LABORS IN AMERICA. 69 

Franklin Square. The dead contend no more ! 
Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is 
now perished; neither have they any more a 
portion for ever in anything that is done under the 
sun." 

To us remains the solemn lesson. 



CHAPTER lY. 

Schlatter's mission to europe. 
1751-1752. 

From 1744 to the latter part of 1748, the Ameri- 
can colonies were involved in a gloomy and per- 
plexing war with the French and Indians. This 
made all communication with Europe by writing 
slow and uncertain. During this period, complaints 
were frequent that letters relating to the affairs of 
the church, sent by Schlatter and his coadjutors to 
Europe, did not reach their destination ; and so 
also letters written from Europe to the American 
Church were not received regularly, and often not 
at alL 

Meanwhile, the German Reformed Churches 
were greatly in want. The number of ministers, 
already by far too small, had lately been reduced. 
The Rev. Ilochreutiner had been taken away sud- 
denly by a mysterious Providence before he had 
properly entered upon his labors in the jSTew World. 
The venerable Father Boehm, the oldest minister 
in the service, had been released from his post and 
was gathered to his fathers. Rev. Bartholomaus, 
of Tulpehocken, was in such a state of health as 
to be almost unable to do any service. Lancaster 
was still vacant. The four congregations, Weis- 
eicherland, Modencreek, Cocalico, and Zcltenrich, 

(70) 



Schlatter's mission to europe. 71 

were vacant, and longed for a pastor; so also 
Donigal, Swatara, and Quitopolnlla. Father 
Boehm's charge in Whitpen was vacant ; so ah=io 
were all the cooo'resrations in the resjions of the Le- 
high, the Delaware, and in !New Jersey. West of the 
Susquehanna there was no one but Kev. Mr. Lischy 
at York. Monocacy, Connogocheague, and several 
congregations in Virginia, were all without a shep- 
herd. Indeed, of the sixteen charges arranged by 
Schlatter, and including forty-six congregations, 
only six charges, composed of fourteen congrega- 
tions, were properly supplied ; while ten charges, 
including thirty-two congregations, were entirely 
shepherdless. Such were the wants of the churches, 
and all help and encouragement from the Fatherland 
seemed shut out by the dark cloud of war. l^o won- 
der that this state of suspense became painful, and 
caused an earnest inquiry after some speedy relief. 
In August, 1750, Mr. Schlatter once more visited 
the churches in the interior with a view of making 
a careful inquiry into their condition and wants, 
that he might be able to lay their deplorable case 
before the approaching meeting of the Synod, 
and also communicate the same to the Synods of 
Holland. From that time on till the meeting of 
the Synod, he received various letters pertaining 
to the state of the churches, which laid new bur- 
dens of concern upon his heart. On the 16th of 
November, the Synod convened at Philadelphia; 
but all their earnest deliberations could brins; them 
no relief. Their resources were exhausted, and 
nothing but actual help, by men and means from 



72 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

abroad, could meet their already great and still 
growiug- wants. Their letters and appeals had not 
reached Holland, and their embarrassments grew 
more and more. 

"Without having been able to determine upon 
any definite course of action, Synod adjourned, ' 
but only to meet in extraordinary Synod on the 
13th of the following month. At the appointed 
time, the brethren were together, and, after much 
earnest deliberation and prayer, they could think 
of no plan by which the end in view could be 
reached except by sending one of their number to 
Europe in person to lay their condition before the 
Christian Synods of Holland and the churches of 
the Palatinate and Switzerland. They unanimously 
concluded to take this course, and accordingly 
appointed Mr. Schlatter upon this interesting 
mission, three of the ministers engaging at the 
same time to supply his congregations in Philadel- 
phia and Germantown during his absence. Though 
it cost him a severe stru2:Q:le to leave his beloved 
congregations and his young family, yet he gave 
himself to the work assigned him in faith, and 
with great self sacrifice and holy courage. 

As the need was urgent, he delayed not, but 
made immediate preparation for the voyage and 
work. Synod provided him with necessary in- 
structions and testimonials. He was also provided 
with a passport and commendation from the Hon. 
James Hamilton, Esq., Governor of the Province 
of Pennsylvania, a copy of which has been pre- 
served in the Pennsylvania Archives. As a matter 



Schlatter's mission to Europe. 73 

of history, as well as of curiosity, we give this 
venerable document literally in the style of the time. 

"by the HON. JAMES HAMILTON, ESQ., GOVERNOR. 

To all to whom these presents shall come or may con- 
cern, 

Greeting : 
I do hereby certify y* y^ Bearer hereof, y® Rev- 
erend Mr. Michael Slatter, hath for some years last 
past, resided in quality of y^ Minister of y^ High 
Dutch Reformed Calvinist Church, w^4n this City, 
and during y* time hath not only exercised & 
performed y^ Dutys of his s*^ Office w^^ a suitable 
Zeal, Diligence, and Sobriety, but hath in all other 
respects demeaned himself in y® good and pious 
manner becoming one of his Function, so far as T 
know or have been informed. And he having 
now represented to me y^ he is obliged to take a 
voyage from hence to London, & from thence to 
Holland and Switzerland, in order to appear before 
y^ Most Reverend y^ Synods or other Ecclesiastical 
Bodys of South and !N'orth Holland, on behalf of 
y® Congregations of y® several Churches of that 
Perswasion within this Province, and desiring my 
Licence or Passport for his safe Conduct in his s"^ 
Voyage, I do, by these presents, not only Grant 
unto the s*^ Mich^ Slatter my Permission to pass 
and repass unmolested w^4n y^ Limits of my said 
Government, but also desire all Governors, Magis- 
trates & Officers in such Foreign States & Do- 
minions as are in Amity w^'' y^ Crown of G^ Britain, 
thro' whose Territories y^ s*^ Mich. Slatter shall 



74 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

have occasion to travel, to Grant him their safe 
Conduct & Protection, w^'' liberty to pass and re- 
pass w^'' his proper Efiects, he behaving as becometh. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereto set my Hand 
& caused y^ Lesser Seal of y® S*^ Prov. to be 
hereto affixed at Phila., y® 29th day of January, 
Anno Domini, 1750-51."^ 

In addition to these, he bore with him nu- 
merous Testimonials from the most respectable 
sources in church and state — from prominent 
Presbyterian ministers, and from the Ministerium 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.^ 

"Wishing once more to commune with his people, 
he administered the Holy Supper in his congrega- 
tion in Philadelphia, on Christmas day. Having 
now made all the necessary arrangements for his 
voyage and absence, he, as he tells us, commended 
himself " to the Fatherly protection of that God 
whose help and deliverance he had often expe- 
rienced," bade adieu to the partner of his earthly 
life, and w^ent on board the ship at ISTew Castle, on 
the 5th day of February, A. D. 1751. 

Remembering the perils through which he passed 
on his first voyage to America about four years 
previous, he was not without anxieties as he entered 
upon the broad bosom of the rolling deep. The 
voyage, however, was prosperous, and for that 
time, not very protracted, being not quite five weeks 
on the way. ''On the 11th of March," he tells us 

' Penn. Archives, vol. ii. p. 67, 68. 

2 See the Introduction to his Journal, by the commissioners 
of the Classis of Amsterdam. 



SCHLATTER'S MISSION TO EUROPE. 75 

in his Journal, ^' we entered the Port of Dartmouth. 
From thence, I continued my journey by laud, 
arrived on the 13th, at Exeter, on the 15th, at 
Bristol ; and on the 22d, by the grace of God, I 
arrived in good health in London, after a journey 
on land of 200 miles." He left London on the 
31st of March, and on the 12th of April, he arrived 
safely at Helvootsluys, a small but well fortified 
town, on the south side of the island of Voorne, 
in South Holland. He landed, as he tells us, 
"thanking God with heart and lips," for his kind 
care in bringing him thus far, and prayed anew 
that his mission in behalf of the destitute cono-re- 
gations of Pennsylvania might find favor with the 
Christian Synods of Holland. 

He directed his course first of all to Amsterdam, 
to meet the commissioners of the Classis of Amster- 
dam, under whose auspices he had gone to America 
in 1746, and with w^hom he had been in corres- 
pondence. The interest which this Classis, and its 
standing commissioners, had so long and perse- 
vcriiigly manifested in the afiairs of the American 
churches, insured him a warm reception ; and he 
felt himself in tlic midst of Christian friends and 
counsellors, on whose sympathy and aid he could 
rely. The commissioners were the more rejoiced 
to see him, inasmuch as little had been heard from 
him since his first report soon after his arrival in 
America, owing to the uncertainty of communica- 
tion on account of the war. Besides, unfavorable 
and one-sided reports had been sent to Holland, in 
reference to Mr. Schlatter, growing out of the 



76 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

improper and ungrateful course pursued toward 
him by Mr. Stein er and his adherents. These 
reports had for a long time caused them deep con- 
cern, and even led them to fear that all their hopes 
in reference to the American churches would be 
destroyed, and their labor prove in vain. Glad 
were they to be disabused and relieved of their 
suspense by the appearance of Mr. Schlatter in 
their midst, and to see from his Testimonials, not 
only that he had labored faithfully in America, and 
stood high in the confidence of the whole Coetus, 
but had been entrusted by them with a most 
important mission, which had directly in view the 
furtherance of the very interest in which they had 
been so deeply concerned. 

He arrived in Amsterdam just at the right time, 
inasmuch as that Reverend Classis met on the 3d 
of May in that year, and an opportunity was thus 
afibrded him to lay the subject of his mission 
before that body. The Classis approved his Testi- 
monials, and heard his statements with great 
interest. Seeing that the subject of his mission 
was too great and far-reaching to be disposed of at 
once, the Classis referred it to a committee of seven 
ministers, who were to report on it at the next 
meeting of Classis. This committee spent several 
days in interview with Mr. Schlatter, examining 
his numerous Testimonials, his extensive Journal, 
and his papers relating to the unfortunate difficulty 
with Mr. Steiner in Philadelphia. The result was, 
that they acquitted him fully in regard to the 
charges and insinuations that had preceded him to 



Schlatter's mission to Europe. 77 

Holland, and were deeply impressed with the great 
work necessary to be done for the destitute Ke- 
formed churches in America. 

The committee recommended to him, with the 
advice and consent of the Reverend Deputies of 
the Synod, to prepare, in the Dutch language, a 
detailed statement, as well of his labors thus far, 
as also of the state and wants of the congregations 
in America as he had found them, to have the same 
printed, and laid before the Christian Synods as 
the basis of an application to them, and through 
them to the churches of Holland, for help. The 
whole report of the committee, with this suggestion, 
was laid before the next meeting of Classis on the 
7th of June, and received its approbation. Mean- 
while, Mr. Schlatter had consulted the Reverend 
Deputies, and with their approval, had drawn up 
a statement for the Synods as suggested ; which 
he now asked the Classis to examine. This was 
done. It was approved, and the same committee 
was continued, with instructions to lend him as far 
as possible their assistance in having it printed; 
and also, at Mr. Schlatter's request, to accompany 
it with a commendatory preface in the name of the 
Classis. This was done, and the little book was 
published by a bookseller in Amsterdam, a pious 
Deacon in the church there, who did it at his 
own expense and risk, not with hope of profit, 
but from love to the cause. In due time, the work 
appeared, and was distributed to the members of 
the Classis and Synod, and to other charitable 
persons throughout Holland. As this interesting 
7* 



78 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

and touching publication is given in full in this 
work, it is not necessary to enter into particulars 
as ta its contents. 

The Synod of ISTorth Holland met at Edam, in 
August of that year, 1751. Meanwhile, Mr. Schlatter 
was busil}^ engaged in arranging all necessary 
preliminaries, that the subject of his mission might 
come up before the Synod in a way to promise 
success. When Synod was assembled, he was 
present, and easily obtained permission not only to 
lay this publication before that venerable body, but 
also to present before them a verbal report and 
appeal. The Synod was much interested, and 
deeply moved by the simple and warm-hearted 
statements of the ardent and devoted missionary 
from the New World. A committee of five promi- 
nent ministers was immediately appointed to con- 
sider the whole matter pertaining to the Pennsyl- 
vania churches, and report during the sessions of 
Synod. Their report, well-matured and highly 
favorable to Mr. Schlatter's mission, was handed 
in before the adjournment of Synod, and passed as 
an act of Synod. This interesting report we give 
in full in another place. 

Among other things, it was recommended in this 
Report, that Mr. Schlatter should himself visit 
Germany and Switzerland, provided with a proper 
Testimonial and with travelling money, to enlist 
the sympathy and cooperation of the churches 
there, and especially, to seek out some suitable 
ministers as laborers for the Pennsylvania field. 

Though he felt anew the strong drawings of his 



Schlatter's mission to europe. 79 

heart toward his family, his congregations, his 
brethren, and his work in the ^New World, yet, 
being convinced that great good would result from 
such an extension of his missionary visit, he was 
not disobedient to what he believed to be " a 
heavenly vision." Furnished with his Testimonial — 
to use his own language — ''in the name of God, 
I travelled into Germany and Switzerland." This 
journey he commenced soon after the meeting of 
the Synod of North Holland, early in Autumn ; 
his Testimonial is dated September 10th, 1751. 

On his way, he called on Dr. Freseni, in Frank- 
fort, upon whom he made a favorable impression, 
and from whom he received much encouragement. 
In the Palatinate, he was well received by Christians, 
and was successful in inducing several ministers to 
devote themselves to the service of the American 
churches. Still more extensive was the sympathy 
manifested for his cause in his own beloved Father- 
land. He was favored "everywhere with extraor- 
dinar}' kindness, love, and truly paternal benevo- 
lence." 

He spent four months in Germany and Switzer- 
land ; and toward the beginning of February, 1752, 
he returned to Frankfort. Meanwhile, he had 
found many in Switzerland who were of opinion 
that it would greatly aid the advancement of the 
very important work entrusted to him, if the small 
work published in Holland, in Dutch, with its 
appendices, w^ere also translated into the German 
language, and distributed in the Fatherland. The 
suggestion commended itself to his judgment: and 



80 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

having translated the work himself, he published 
it on his return, at Frankfort, aided b}^ the friendly 
counsel of Dr. Freseni. He accompanied the work 
with a beautiful and stirring preface, and dedicated 
it, with a commendatory address : " To the Honor- 
able, Judges, Grand Bailiffs, and Councils of the 
Evangelical cantons and cities of the noble Swiss 
confederacy."^ This same work was afterwards 
also translated into English by Rev. Mr. Thompson, 
English Heformed minister in Amsterdam, and 
distributed throughout Great Britain and Scotland, 
where it was the means of effecting great results, 
of which we have elsewhere spoken in this volume.^ 
Having now accomplished the work of his 
important mission in Europe — setting in motion 
influences and appliances, which, through many 
subsequent years, contined to flow like a stream 
of salvation, to refresh and help the American 
churches — he began to set his face whither his 
heart was always turned, toward his home, and the 
field of his labor in the distant JSTew World. Though 
all the results of his mission were not yet developed, 
yet he returned not without important tangible 

' This work was not only published in separate book form 
for general distribution, but Dr. Freseni also published it in 
his serial work called Pastoral Sammlungen. The Author has 
been fortunate enough to procure a copy of this work in both 
forms of publication: — in Dr. Freseui's work it covers 199 
pages, and in the separate book form, 92 large quarto pages. 
For the latter, we are indebted to some unknown friend in St. 
Gall, who sent it to us by mail through Pastor Glinz, Reformed 
minister there. 

2 See the chapter on Schlatter and the Charity Schools. 



Schlatter's mission to Europe. 81 

fruits. By the kind aid of Rev. Prof Arnoldi, in 
Ilerborn,^ he had gathered six newly ordained, 
learned, and pious ministers, who, commissioned 
by the authorities of the S^mods of Holland, 
accompanied him across the ocean, to labor in the 
destitute American 'churches. He also brought 
with him "substantial aid in money, and seven 
hundred German Bibles, five hundred of which 
were in folio, presented to him by members of the 
churches of Amsterdam."^ 

Solemn and impressive were the immediate pre- 
liminaries and the final departure of Mr. Schlatter 
and the six young ministers. A notice of the 
farewell solemnities appeared in the number for 
May, 1752, of a Monthly published in Zurich. 
" Rev. Michael Schlatter actually sailed from Hol- 
land for Pennsylvania, in March. Of the six 
candidates which he secured in !N^assau district, one 
went back, yielding to the earnest entreaties of his 
mother. His place has, however, been filled by 
another from the Berg district, who, with his 
wife, has undertaken the journey. These candi- 
dates were all examined and ordained at the Hague. 

' In a serial work entitled *' Monthly Reports of remarkable 
events in the year 1752," edited by Ziegler, book publisher in 
Zurich, is a notice "which we translate : 

" March. Rev. Michael Schlatter has returned again from 
Frankfort to Amsterdam with his cousin Christopher. As 
appears from a letter of Rev. Hudmaker, he has through Rev. 
Prof. Arnoldi in Ilerborn, gathered six young candidates, who 
are to be examined in Holland, and there dedicated to the 
service of the Pennsylvania churches." 

2 Dr. De Witt in Christian Intel. Sept. 23d, 1852. 



82 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

They also approved themselves by preaching trial 
sermons, and the whole occasion was concluded in 
the most solemn and edifying manner by a thanks- 
giving sermon from Eev. Superintendent Schlatter. 
Meantime, says Rev. Iludmaker in the Hague, he 
hopes that those in Pennsylvania who are hunger- 
ing for the public worship of God, will thus be 
supplied by the help of these Evangelists." 

The account further adds : " This undertaking, 
reckoning the travelling expenses of Rev. Schlatter, 
has cost about four thousand florins. The Synod 
in Holland entertain the surest hope that, as the 
Palatines have already sent over three hundred 
florins for this object, the Swiss brethren, at their 
general summer meeting at Frauenfeld, will also 
consider the matter favorably, and open their 
hearts and hands in the way of help. We hope 
also that the same may be done by private persons 
of wealth." 1 

A kind Providence, to whose care they entrusted 
themselves, brought them safely over the great 
deep, and in the night preceding July 28th, 1752, 
they arrived in E'ew York. On the following day, 
they were most cordially welcomed by Rev. 
Muhlenberg, who, when the six young ministers 
were introduced to him, in view of the difficulties 
of the field and the labor before them, very beauti- 
fully and appropriately addressed them in our 
Saviour's memorable words : "Behold, I send you 



' Monatliche Nachrichten einiger Merkwurdigkeiten vom 
Yahr 1752. edit. v. Ziegler, Buchdriicker in Zurich/' 



SCHLATTER'S MISSION TO EUROPE. 83 

forth as sheep in the midst of wolves : be ye there- 
fore wise as serpents and harmless as doves." ^ 

Having refreshed himself somewhat — after an 
"unusually protracted voyage of nearly four months — 
with his intimate, faithful, and generous friend, 
Rev. Muhlenberg, he hastened to his family and 
friends in Philadelphia, and his brethren in Penn- 
sylvania. 

» Hal. Nachrichten, pp. 502, 503, 504. 



CHAPTERV. 

Schlatter's appeal to the churchej 
in europe. 

1752. 

This is the place to introduce Schlatter's appeal 
to the churches in Europe and its accompanying 
documents as they were published in Dutch, German, 
and English, and used with such glorious effect in 
the prosecution of his mission. This eloquent and 
touching statement may be truly regarded as the 
flower of his Life, and the noblest monument of 
his Labors. In it will be found a full and particular 
account of his past labors in the 'New World, and 
the sources of many blessed streams which after- 
wards flowed in to gladden the flelds of the long 
uncultivated American heritage. 

The interesting facts here recorded, while they 
are inseparable from the Life of Schlatter, are at 
the same time, the most important and reliable 
sources of the history of the German Reformed 
church in America. Without them, w^e would know 
comparatively little of the deplorable spiritual 
destitutions of the first Reformed emigrants, of the 
rise of many of our oldest congregations, of the 
self-denying labors of the first Reformed ministers, 
and of the truly Christian sympathy and help 

(84) 



HIS APPEAL TO THE CHURCHES IN EUROPE. 85 

extended to them by the brethren of the Father- 
land. 

The reader will feel in passing along, as we have 
often felt while making this record, that there has, 
perhaps, not been since the Reformation, a historical 
fact that rises to such true Christian sublimity as 
the unwearied and disinterested devotion of the 
churches of Holland, the Palatinate, and Switzer- 
land, to the infant and struggling churches of the 
distant ^ew World. Everlasting gratitude be given 
first to God, and then to them, for their works of 
life and love — and everlasting honor to that blessed 
religion of Jesus Christ, whicTi can inspire human 
hearts to become so much like Himself and His 
holy angels, as in such a spirit to offer themselves 
and theirs in the service of others without seeking: 
their own advantage and honor. 



8 



A TRUE HISTORY 



OF THE RExVL CONDITION OF THE DESTITUTE 



CONGREGATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. 



BY 



MICHAEL SCHLATTER, 

EVANGEUCAL REFORMEB MINISTER IN PHILADELPHIA. 

ADDRESSED, IN THE DUTCH LANGUAGE, TO THE VERY REVEREND 

CHRISTIAN SYNODS IN THE NETHERLANDS, AND OTHER 

CHARITABLE CHRISTIANS: 

AND NOW TRANSLATED 

INTO THE GERMAN LANGUAGE BY THE AUTHOR, AND DEDICATED 

TO THE HONORABLE REFORMED MAGISTRATES AND 

MINISTERS OF THE 

SWISS CONFEDERACY, 

TOGETHER WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE COMMISSIONERS 

OP THE 

CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. 



(87) 



DEDICATION. 



TO THE HONORABLE: 

THE BURGOMASTERS, JUDGES, GRAND BAILIFFS, AND 

COUNCILS OF THE EVANGELICAL CANTONS AND 

CITIES OF THE NOBLE SWISS CONFEDERACY; 

TO HIS GRACIOUS LORDS, THE PRESENT 

TRACT IS MOST RESPECTFULLY 

SUBMITTED 

BY THE 

AUTHOR. 



(88) 



COMMENDATORY ADDRESS BY THE AUTHOR TO THE 
SWISS CONFEDERACY. 



3Iost Uxcellent and Gracious Fathers : 

The following report is written in behalf of many 
thousand German and Swiss brethren, holding the 
same faith w^ith ourselves, w^ho dwell, it is true, 
half the circle of the world from you, but who 
were for the most part heretofore your subjects, 
and children of your soil, and who are as yet not 
in a condition properly to provide themselves and 
their children with the ordinary means of grace. 

Since I stand pledged, in the fear of God, as far 
as possible, to care for their spiritual w^elfare, it is 
my desire in this most humble communication, 
which I have prevailed upon myself affectionately 
and with reverence, to lay before your Excellencies, 
to suggest : 

Whether it may please your Gracious Honors to 
cast a sympathising eye toward this multitude of 
scattered souls, so greatly in need of instruction, 
and cause them in such way and manner as shall 
please you, to experience something of the opera- 
tions of that generous love, which already rejoices 
tlie hearts of so many fellow Christians. 

8 * (89) 



90 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Although the high and noble state of the Pro- 
vince of Holland has promised us a very important 
help annually; and the most of the Synods of the 
!N"etherlands kindly intend to give us a very con- 
siderable support ; still there is yet much needed 
to carry forward this great and important work, 
and to place the churches and schools in Pennsyl- 
vania in a desirable condition. 

On this account, I turn also to you, Gracious 
Fathers of my Fatherland, and repeat the earnest 
request, which the highly Honorable and Christian 
Synods a short time ago humbly sent to your 
Excellencies through me, with the most respectful 
solicitation that Your Honors may graciously take 
these presentations into consideration. 

It is true many, by inconsiderate emigration, 
have rendered themselves unworthy of your favor 
and providence ; still ma}^ your Honors be pleased 
to regard the innocent children, which cannot dis- 
cern their right hand from the left. I plead for 
precious souls, which belong to the Creator, yea, 
to that Father in Heaven, who has been unto this 
day a wall of fire around your government and 
Confederacy. Help, that dying persons may have 
opportunity to prepare themselves, after this life, 
to glorify with you that God whom your Gracious 
Honors serve, in whose name you rule so happily, 
and whose blessed communion you expect to enjoy. 

May Jehovah continue to confirm the noble con- 
federacy; and may God, even the God of your 
fathers, remain your God unto the end of days. 



Schlatter's appeal. 91 

After commending myself in deepest devotion 
to your continued favor, I have the honor, with, 
true esteem, to be 

Your Honors' very submissive well-wisher 
and servant, 

Michael Schlatter, 

Reformed Minister in Philadelphia, and 
Citizen of the town of St. Gall. 

Franlcfort-on-the-Mayn, 

on my journey to America, 

Feb. 6, 1752. 



PEEFACE BY THE AUTHOR. 



Since there are many in Switzerland who are 
anxious for the extension of the Church of God, 
and who beheve that it is highly necessary for the 
advancement of the important w^ork entrusted to 
me, that the following Tract, with its aj)pendices, 
be translated into German, it has now appeared in 
that language. I have the firmest confidence that 
it will be of service in this cause, and that it will 
not be taken amiss in me, if I earnestly commend 
the substance of this publication to all and singly, 
the venerable and Christian ministers of the Evan- 
gelical confederacy, and humbly pray them to make 
such use of it as will subserve the good of the con- 
gregations in Pennsylvania. 

Very Reverend, very learned and pious Lords, very 
Honor ahle Fathers and Brethren in Christ Jesus: 

Let it please your Excellencies to regard with 
favor, that which I have ventured to address to you. 
An earnest desire for the salvation of many 
immortal souls, the communion of that holy power, 
in which the church in all parts of the earth stands 
in the same catholic Head, Christ ; yea, your 
praise-V7orthy zeal, venerable Fathers and Brethren, 
for the spread of the kingdom of Christ and His 
holy Gospel, must serve as an apology for the 
liberty 1 have thus taken. 

(92) 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 93 

I feel the more free in doing this, inasmuch as I 
had lately the honor of being favored everywhere, 
by yonr Excellencies, with such undeserved, but 
extraordinary kindness, love, and truly paternal 
benevolence. This has also served, in no small 
degree, to encourage me in my work, w^hich is in 
some respects, very difficult and w^earisome. 

Allow me yet, highly esteemed servants of our 
Redeemer, before I leave Europe, humbly to recom- 
mend this Tract to you, with the submissive prayer, 
that your Excellencies will have the goodness to 
regard and consider w^hat is therein addressed to 
the venerable and Christian Synods, and the inhabi- 
tants of the N"etherlands, as spoken to you and your 
hearers, and that you may accordingly, with prayer 
to God, also labor for the spread of the kingdom 
of Christ in America. There is no doubt,'' that 
when in all places, so many sighs and intercessions 
shall arise to the throne of God, we shall be visited 
with help from his sanctuary, and be blessed with 
growth. 

May not also your Excellencies be able and will- 
ing to devise w^ays and means of assistance — may 
those wdiom God has richly blessed with temporal 
good, be encouraged through you, to send bread 
over the water, in order that our ministry and 
schools in that corner of the earth may be brought 
into circumstances to be successful, in imitation of 
the praise-worthy example of our highly venerated 
Fathers and Brethren in the :N'etherlands, who are 
employing all their po\^ers to provide for our 
spiritual necessities. 



94 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

The Lord, oiir God, crown your Excellencies 
with exceeding grace, and your holy labors with 
living fruits ; that at last you, with all the sheep of 
your folds, may greatly increase the number of the 
glorified who stand before the throne of God, to 
be eternal and adoring witnesses to the love of the 
great Shepherd of the sheep. 

I commend myself to your prayers and well- 
wishes, and remain, with the tenderest esteem, 

Your Excellencies' obedient, 
devoted servant and co-laborer in the 
kingdom of Christ, 

Michael Schlatter, 

Reformed Minister in Philadelphia. 

Fran hfort-on- tlie-IIaTjn, 
February 7th, 1752. 



INTRODUCTION BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE 
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. 



Grace with peace, and love with faith, from God 
the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, be with the 
Brethren, and with all charitable Christians, who 
love Zion, and are grieved for the aiSictions of 
Joseph. 

The extensive fraternal correspondence which 
our classis keeps up, not without labor and expense, 
with the most of churches in foreign parts, as well 
in the distant East as in the West, shows how much 
they take their condition to heart, and how willingly 
they do their part, according to their best ability, 
to assist them with counsel, and by acts of benevo- 
lence. The congregations in the whole of the 
northern part of America, have already, for a long- 
time, been objects of their especial care and 
attention. The condition of the Dutch congrega- 
tions in 'New E'etherland, New York, Kew Albany, 
and other places, has from time to time been made 
tolerably familiar to her; and, that the Classis has 
not refused to extend to them their tender love and 
care, the congregations themselves can best testify. 

As regards the true condition of the German 
congregations in Pennsylvania and neighboring 
Provinces, they had hitherto been able to obtain 
but little reliable information, however much their 

(95) 



96 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

attention has been directed toward thera. They 
could, it is true, discover that the congregations 
were evidently increasing in numbers, inasmuch as 
thousands of persons, from the Palatinate, from 
Switzerland, and from other parts of Germany 
emigrated thither, among whom were very many 
attached to the Evangelical doctrine and worship 
of the Reformed church. "Whether they are all 
nnder good or bad training, it is not for us to 
decide. 

The less the Classis was able to obtain light in 
regard to these people, the more was their desire 
for information increased, and they have been 
careful not to lose sight of this prominent branch 
of the Protestant and Reformed church ; especially 
that part in the ISTew World; but sought oppor- 
tunity to turn the stream of N'etherland benevo- 
lence in that direction ; the more so, as it seemed 
that there was great need of teachers, and that the 
wants of the congregations were very great. 

About twenty years ago, it appeared as if there 
was a prospect of obtaining information in regard 
to the condition of these churches, and of being 
placed in a situation to extend the right kind of 
assistance to our brethren in the same faith who 
had removed to the 'New World. A minister and 
an elder, Rev. Mr. Weiss and Elder Reif, came 
over from America, and made known to the Synod 
of South and North Holland, and also to our 
Classis, the pressing wants of the scattered and 
shepherdless sheep of this new field of the Church 
of God, and entreated for support and help. 



Schlatter's appeal. 97 

!N"ow, although the true, position of affairs, and 
the precise condition of the congregations in these 
regions, remained very much hidden, yea, in the 
dark, yet still the Christian Synod and our Classis 
did not lose sight of this interest. The article 
having reference to the churches in Pennsylvania, 
still remained alive in the acts of every Synod, and 
all the Classis give assurance, from year to year, 
that they desire more particular information in 
regard to this point. 

In the year 1746, the Rev. Michael Schlatter, 
y. D. M., of St. Gall, in Switzerland, was led 
hither by that divine Providence which we should 
never forget to adore. This mao, worthy, learned, 
and gifted of God with many talents, after he 
became acquainted with one and another of the 
members of our Classis, and had made known his 
inclination to devote himself, at least for a time, 
to the service of his destitute brethren in the faith 
in Pennsylvania, among whom were mauy of his 
own countrymen, was recommended to the Depu- 
ties of both Synods, with whom he also himself 
became more intimately acquainted. These saw 
in him so many evidences of firm and correct judg- 
ment, pecuHar fitness, and glowing zeal, to serve 
the Church of God also in these distant reHons, 
that they regarded it good and proper, not only to 
send him into this field as a regular shepherd and 
teacher, but also, with the full consent of both 
Synods, to invest him with one of the most impor- 
tant commissions, wdaich was comprehended in 
most positive instructions : namely, that he should 
9 



98 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

visit, in the name and by direction of the Synods 
of South and IN'orth Holland, the scattered congre- 
gations which exist in this whole country, carefully 
to inquire into their condition, and bring them, as 
far as possible, into proper order and regulation 
by ordaining elders and deacons. Farther, that 
he should ascertain from each congregation how 
much they could and would contribute annually 
for the support of a minister in case one should be 
sent to them ; and that he might also, after he had 
arranged all these matters, and had, from time to 
time, given a faithful and reliable report to the 
Christian Synods, select for himself, in some con- 
gregation, a place of permanent labor, to which, 
if the people desired, they might call him as their 
reo'ular Pastor. 

Our Classis took a prominent part in this matter, 
and gave to it its support in every way and man- 
ner to the extent of its ability. Mr. Schlatter, 
convinced of our zeal and care for the churches in 
Pennsylvania, freely promised to keep up a corres- 
pondence with our Classis. 

In the first year after his departure, we received 

a report of his safe arrival in America, and an 
account of what he, from time to time, accom- 
plished, by which the Christian Synod and our 
Classis received more though still inadequate light ; 
nevertheless, it became evident to them that there 
existed the greatest want of ministers, and that the 
most of these members were erring and wandering 
about without shepherds, seeking good pastures, 
but scarcely finding any. 



sciilatter's appeal. 99 

The Cliristian Synods, and also our Classis, have 
endeavored, as far as possible, to devise means to 
meet this want; and already in the two first years 
they sent over four ministers. One of these, how- 
ever, it has pleased a sovereign God to remove, 
through an unexpected and very melancholy death, 
just at the time when he was ready to enter upon 
his holy duties in the large congregation at Lan- 
caster, which had given him a regular call. An- 
other, instead of promoting peace, unity, and 
edification, and doing the work of an evangelist in 
the congregation which desired his services, suf- 
fered himself unfortunately to he used as an instru- 
ment to disturb the much desired and blooming 
peace, allowing himself to be persuaded, without 
an orderly call and confirmation by the churches, 
to perform ministerial services in a small part of 
the congregations of Philadelphia and German, 
town, to which Mr. Schlatter had been regularly 
called, and in which he had been properly installed, 
where also he had performed his duties with all 
faithfulness. Thus, there has not been as much 
accomplished as was expected. 

During the following years very few, indeed 
almost no reports were received which could give 
us a more satisfactory and true idea of the condi- 
tion of the congregations ; because the majority of 
the letters that were sent were lost throuo:h the 
unfortunate war troubles and other casualties. 
On the contrary, unfavorable and partial reports 
were sent in through Mr. K to the Eeverend 
Deputies of the Synod, and these did not fiiil to be 



100 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

accompanied with exaggerations and additions, 
calculated to bring Mr. Schlatter into bad repute. 

These two unfortunate circumstances coming 
together brought our Christian Synods and also 
our Classis into deep concern ; yea, even caused 
■us to fear that our hopes would again be frustrated 
and our labor prove in vain. 

At the time, however, when we were in the 
utmost perplexity, and were well nigh ready to 
give up all as lost, Mr. Schlatter appeared 
just at the right time in our Classical Assem- 
bly, which was held on the 3d of May in this 
year, 1751. He showed us his instructions from 
the Reverend Coetus in Pennsylvania, asked 
for time and opportunity to give the necessary 
information in regard to the matter, that the 
Classis might be convinced of the pressing wants 
of the congregations in these regions, and be the 
more powerfully moved to extend faithful aid and 
deliverance in every possible way to these sheep 
without shepherds. 

The Classis saw as well the importance as the 
greatness of this work ; and felt that it was much 
too far-reaching to be acted upon as it deserved 
during the present meeting. It, therefore, saw 
proper to refer the matter to a committee, and 
appointed us the undersigned, to enter into closer 
communication with Mr. Schlatter, carefully to 
examine the writings he has brought with him, 
which refer to the discords in the congregations in 
Philadelphia and Germantown, but especially to 
the condition of the churches in Pennsylvania, and 



Schlatter's appeal. 101 

to report on the whole matter at the next meeting 
of Olassis. 

The committee spent the following day, besides 
several other days, in interview with Mr. Schlat- 
ter, and in carefully examining a great number 
of very important testimonials, written in Latin, 
German, Dutch, and English. From these they 
have found : 

1. The perfect innocence of Mr. Schlatter in 
the matter of those discords, and the improper 
conduct of Rev. Mr. Steiner, and the few who 
adhered to him. We might here give a full 
account of this affair, had not Mr. Schlatter 
most earnestly besought us to say as little as 
possible in regard to it, inasmuch as he did not 
come over here to complain, or to bring tidings of 
misfortune, for he had learned to forbear with 
long-suffering and patience what was laid upon 
him, and as he hoped by his love, discretion, and 
forbearance, to be able also to win those w^ho had 
hitherto been influenced by prejudice against him. 

Nevertheless, we cannot omit stating that, to 
our full satisfaction and with much pleasure, we 
have read very many testimonials, as well from 
civil sources as from ecclesiastical meetings and 
persons, in which Mr. Schlatter is not only fully 
justified in regard to this matter, but also in 
general, highly praised on account of his upright- 
ness, peaceableness, and the unwearied zeal and 
faithfulness which he has shown, as well in carry- 
ing out the objects of his commission, as in the 
duties of his office, and in bearing upon his heart 
9* 



102 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

the interests of the church in Pennsylvania. Among 
these testimonials we may mention as of particular 
note : one from His Excellency the Governor 
embodied in his passport: one from the noble, 
worthy Mayor of Philadelphia: one also from the 
six respectable men, mostly of religious sentiments, 
differing from his, who had been appointed, as 
arbitrators: one from Hon. P. Peters, secretary of 
State in Pennsylvania : one from the church in 
Pennsylvania itself: one from the congregation in 
Philadelphia, signed by the Elders, Deacons, and. 
many other members : one from Dr. P. Jenney, 
commissary and minister of the English churches 
in Pennsylvania : one from the Peverends Robert 
Cross, Gilbert Tennant, and Charles Beatty, Presby- 
terian ministers in and about Philadelphia : and 
finally, one from the Evangelical Lutheran Minis- 
terium, which body had been consulted by Mr. 
Steiner himself in regard to this matter, and 
which declared him as wholly in the wrong, and 
earnestly advised him that he should desist from 
his attempts. 

2. As res^ards the condition of the churches in 

CI? 

Pennsylvania, we have received so much light from 
the extensive Diary in which Mr. Schlatter has 
given an account, not only of his frequent jour- 
neys to many congregations near and remote, 
but also of his acts and labors in them, so that we 
were in the highest degree surprised at the unwearied 
and almost incredible labors which this faithful 
servant of God — whom in this respect, we may call 
an apostolical man — has devoted to the churches 



Schlatter's appeal. 103 

in Pennsylvania, and rejoiced in view of the divine 
support which he has experienced in them. At 
the same time, our hearts have been moved in 
tenderest sympathy by the truly sad and deplorable 
condition of so many thousand souls, wdio hunger 
for the word of the living God ; and in view of the 
large number in congregations, who like sheep 
without shepherds, are wandering about starving 
and weak without water, in a land which is as the 
shadow of death. We have been so deeply 
impressed by these facts as to desire with all our 
hearts, that the main substance of them might not 
only be read by a few in the Acts of our christian 
Synods — in which even the shortest extract would 
be too long for insertion — but that they might also 
be brought publicly before all congregations, with 
the hope that they would thereby be awakened to 
know and appreciate more highly the privileges 
which they enjoy in this blessed land, and also 
strongly incited, not only to agonize in prayer for 
these congregations calling for help, but also to fly 
to their aid with gifts of love, that by these means, 
under the divine blessing, their rescue may be 
gradually effected. 

On this ground, and to this end, we in a friendly 
way suggested to Mr. Schlatter whether his Eev- 
erence would not think it w^ell, with the counsel 
and approbation of the Reverend deputies, utriusque 
Synodi, to present a detailed statement, as well of 
his labors as of the congregations themselves, and 
to make it the basis of a humble application, which 
he is to make to the christian Synods in behalf of 



104 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

these congregations, and immediately to have it 
printed : that thus it might first be laid upon the 
table of the christian Synods, so that all the honored 
members of it might be in a better condition, in a 
suitable and devout way, to consider this important 
matter, and then to fall in with it accordingly ; and 
afterwards place this document in the hands of all 
who are disposed to interest themselves in the con- 
dition of the churches. 

When in the next Classical meeting, on the 7th 
of June, we made report of our investigations, and 
laid before the Classis, salvo meliori, our previous 
decision, Mr. Schlatter presented himself; and, 
permission having been given, he reported that the 
Keverend Deputies of the Synod did not disapprove 
of the advice which the committee of the Classis 
of Amsterdam had given him, but were of opinion 
that it might prove useful, and that the Reverend 
Deputies agree that such a statement be printed, 
only that it be done without cost to the Synod. He 
asked farther, that the Classis w^ould lend him a 
helping hand, and not only examine the statement 
which he had drawn up, and aid him in having it 
printed, but especially, also to accompany it with a 
preface, in order that the condition of the churches 
of Pennsylvania might be recommended to the 
liberality of such as are blessed with means to aid 
and encourage them. He asked especially, that 
this Classis would not only itself take to heart the 
wants of these destitute members and congrega- 
tions, and give positive assistance to so many needy 
ones, who besides calling to God, call also to them ; 



SCHLATTEll'S APPEAL. 105 

but tbat, at the approaching meeting of the 
Christian Synod of ISTorth Holland, and wherever 
they should be able, they would aid in advancing 
the best interests of these cons-res^ations. 

After the meeting had bestowed proper considera- 
tion upon these representations, the committee 
previously appointed to investigate this matter were 
solicited anew, and it was made their duty, to 
lend Mr. Schlatter assistance in having his report 
printed in the most convenient way, and also, if 
they thought it would be of service, to accompany 
it wdth a preface, in the name of the Classis, 
recommending the case of the churches in. Penn- 
sylvania. In the meantime also, the Classis, at a 
future meeting, which is usually held before Synod, 
would decide, how, and in what way, these desti- 
tute congregations might be most effectually 
assisted, and if possible, fully delivered from their 
distressful condition. 

When the committee, as early as it was possible, 
had their first meeting, they were concerned first 
of all, as to how they might secure a bookseller 
who would be willing to print this report at his own 
risk and expense, and to deliver to Mr. Schlatter 
as many copies gratis as he might need to distribute 
among the Reverend members of Synod, in our 
Classis, and otherwise, wherever it might be thought 
necessary. It was concluded to represent the 
matter to Mr. J. Loveringh, bookseller, and a 
faithful Deacon in this congregation, who af once 
assumed this responsibility out of love to these 
congregations ; yet with these conditions, namely, 



106 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

thcit he should be at liberty, after Mr. Schlatter 
had laid the book not only before the Christian 
Synod of South Holland, but also that of ISTorth 
Holland, publicly to sell the same, and that the 
Reverend committee, as far as they were able, 
would prevent any one disposed to speculate in it 
from printing and publishing an edition before he 
should be permitted to make his edition public ; 
and that they would therefore agree that the 
Reverend committee of Classis declare no copies 
as genuine, except such as were undersigned by his 
own hand ; to which condition they readily agreed. 
Since all the conditions already stated, agreeably 
to the intention as well of the Reverend Deputies, 
utriusque Synodi, as of our Classis, were thus met 
and satisfied, the committee, on account of the 
approaching opening of the Christian Synod of 
South Holland, have solicited one of their number, 
by the name of Kulenkamp, in connection with 
Mr. Schlatter to undertake and complete the 
work without loss of time, acting in concert with 
the other members of the committee ; and that 
above all, they should present the preface, before 
it is handed to the publisher, to a meeting of the 
committee to be called for that purpose, that they 
might examine and sign it. All this, the member 
of the committee to whom it was committed, 
cheerfully undertook in dependence upon the grace 
of God — though he saw fully how severe would 
be the task, on account of the short time in which 
it was to be done, and from other circumstances — 



Schlatter's appeal. 107 

and has sought to perform it according to the best 
of his ability. 

Here there is a Publication in which is seen, on 
the one hand, the surprising and unwearied labors 
]3erformed by Mr. Schlatter in the prosecution 
of the work committed to him by the appointment 
of the Synod in 1746; and, on the other hand, it 
also reveals the sad and destitute condition of 
many forlorn congregations in this newly-disco- 
vered part of the world. The facts, moreover, 
furnish proper occasion for the humblest sighs and 
prayers, and they ought to awaken the hearts, not 
only of the higher ecclesiastical assemblies, but of 
all members of the Reformed Churches of the 
IsTetherlands, who can feel the power of sympathy, 
and who love the prosperity of Zion, to extend the 
most liberal assistance. AYe see no reason why we 
should plead the cause of these need}^ and destitute 
congregations before the Christian Synod. Mr. 
Schlatter, their delegate and their organ, has 
caused their plaintive and heart-moving voice to 
sound in the ears of our ecclesiastical assemblies 
in such a manner that we must do violence to our 
own feelino:s when we even think of entertainino- 
any fears that these assemblies will close their 
hearts against the call of these needy and forsaken 
brethren. We are anxious lest when we present 
reasons for activity it might seem as if in one way 
or other we doubted the zeal, care, and benevo- 
lence of the Christian Synods. This be far from 
us. The Christian Synods, especially those of 
ISTorth and South Holland, have for many years 



108 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

sliown how warmly their hearts are bound to the 
churches of Pennsylvania. They have manifested 
a far too strong desire and been at much too great 
pains to obtain a full report of the true condition 
of the churches in that land, now when their w^ish 
in this respect is fulfilled, and all desired informa- 
tion has been laid before them by him whom five 
years ago they themselves sent over for that pur- 
pose, to close their hearts and hands and decline 
affording all the actual help and encouragement 
which may be in their power. 

We only ask of our brethren to receive it kindly 
and construe it in the most favorable light, when 
we express our desire that what Mr. Schlatter 
so tenderly presents in regard to the Heathenism 
of the ancient inhabitants of this land may be 
made an essential item to be considered in the 
deliberations of the Synod. We feel ourselves the 
more nrged to ask this, because it seems to ns that 
the labors which should be bestowed in this direc- 
tion would be more fruitful than those which have 
been bestowed upon other heathens, on account 
of the good-nature and docile spirit which charac- 
terize these Pagan tribes. What especially inspires 
us with the hope that, under the blessing of God, 
such an effort would not be in vain, is the assur- 
ance which Mr. Schlatter gives ns, that he had 
more than once heard from the Honorable Conrad 
Weiser — a highly respectable and respected person 
standiuo; in connection with the Government in 
Pennsylvania, who is acquainted with the language 
of these heathens, and has often been sent to them 



Schlatter's appeal. 109 

^vitb commissions from the government, and who 
is employed as interpreter by the authorities, and 
who, on account of his honest}^ and experience, 
stands in high confidence with them; that these 
heathens love very much to hear religion spoken 
of, and give evident signs that they desire to be 
instructed in it; and that they appear to show 
reverence towards those who, in a suitable way, 
speak to them on the subject of religion. 

"Who knows when it may be God's time to have 
mercy upon the blind heathen ? Whilst, then, we 
seek in simplicity to do what we can, that the 
Eeformed congregations may be provided with 
more true and able ministers, there will, no doubt, 
also be found among them one and another who 
has consecrated his whole heart to the work of 
building up the kingdom of Christ, and who will 
be anxious to be placed in a condition where he 
may cast out the net of the Gospel on the other 
side of the ship among the heathens, in hope and 
with ardent prayer, that from them also he may 
win some to the Lord. 

Keeping in mind that the burden of the call 
from Pennsylvania is for pious and well-qualified 
ministers and pastors, we take the liberty frater- 
nally to remind the Christian Synods of this, and 
call upon them to take into careful consideration 
the suggestions of Mi\ Schlatter on this point. 
Nearly the largest number of congregations con- 
sists of German Eeformed, who desire ministers 
that understand and preach in their own languao-e. 
Where, now, can we seek and find these exceptin 
10 



110 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

those lands from whicli the most of these members 
have emigrated thither. Experience teaches us 
that not all those, who, from time to time, come 
over from Germany and offer themselves to us to 
be sent to Pennsylvania, are proper subjects to 
accomplish a truly good work in this country. It 
also often happens that the Eeverend Deputies of 
the Synods, as well as our Classis, have not the 
opportunity of obtaining the necessary information 
as to how such persons stand, and what are the 
true reasons why they wdsh to leave or must leave 
their previous location and their fatherland ; so 
that when such are here accepted as ministers, and 
afterwards go to Pennsylvania, they show only 
too soon why they could not remain with their 
congregations in their fatherland. 

According to our judgment, one who is ac- 
quainted with the condition of the Pennsylvania 
congregations, and who knows what course to 
pursue in the Palatinate, and especially in Switzer- 
land, will, by going thither with valid testimonials 
of authority, perform more toward accomplishing 
this great end than has been done by a multitude 
of letters in many years. 

Should the Christian Synod acquiesce in this 
opinion, who (we hope our much-respected breth- 
ren will excuse our freedom ; we cheerfully submit 
to a better judgment, and only present our thoughts 
on the subject,) would be better qualified and suited 
for such a mission than he who has already given 
such proof of his faithfulness, unw^earied labor, and 
foresight, in carrying out his Synodical Commis- 



Schlatter's appeal. Ill 

sion, to whom also the Pennsylvania Coetus and 
all the congregations have intrusted their interests 
and desires, and who has manifested how devotedly 
he bears them on his heart, since he has left behind 
him his wife in a most delicate situation — to whom 
he can scarcely allude without tears — and came 
hither with empty hands, trusting himself implicitly 
to the fatherly care of God, and who is still further 
w^illing and ready for the service should he be 
sent farther, if only, by the blessing of God, he 
can accomplish something for the congregations 
which lie so near his heart. We could say much 
more of the qualities of this our brother, who only 
becomes dearer to us the better we learn to know 
him, did not his noble spirit of modesty and hu- 
mility forbid us. 

Thus much we could not forbear, with due 
reverence, to present to the Christian Synodical 
Assembly for their pious consideration, praying to 
God, that, as He has done to the ^Netherlands, so 
He would also do to the churches of Pennsylvania, 
doing them good out of Zion and sending them 
help from his sanctuary. Since, however, this 
publication may also fall under the eye of such 
members of our Church as delight in the prosperity 
of Zion, and desire that the walls of Jerusalem may 
also be built up in these foreign regions, among 
whom, through God's goodness, there are many in 
our land who are able to do more than merely to 
wish good to the needy, and to whom God has 
given, not only the means, but also the heart to 
assist them in a real way, we cannot omit, in the 



112 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

most earnest manner, to commend to their charity 
and liberality the pressing wants of so many thou- 
sand souls who hunger for the word of God, and 
so many congregations of those of the household 
of faith who are without shepherds in a strange 
land. 

To show favor to the exile and fill the hands of 
the poor, has hitherto been a shining gem in the 
crown of the beneficent Christians of the Nether- 
lands, and is no small reason why we now rejoice in 
the blessings of prosperity. Many thousands have 
until now experienced this at our hands ; may the 
churches of Pennsylvania also receive proof that 
this same spirit still lives. 

The subjects which we commend to your love, 
are according to the report, over thirty thousand 
souls ; which are divided into more than forty-six 
congregations, scattered through a widely extended 
land — a land in w^hich they are strangers. These 
call to your Christian sympathies, ye who have 
been so highly favored of God. They call not for 
bread and raiment for the support of the body, not 
for money to build splendid churches ; but for gifts 
of love, wherewith to support pastors who shall 
give to them the bread of life, after which their 
souls hunger ; wherewith to support schoolmasters, 
that their dearest pledges, their tender children, 
may not become the victims of Satan and the 
world, but may be nurtured in the knowledge and 
fear of God, and bear away their immortal souls 
as gain. Yea, finally, that they may procure for 
themselves the precious Bible, and other necessary 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 113 

books, that so they may better learu the way of 
salvation, and that the excellencies of the divine 
law ma}^ not be unknown among them. 

Those who plead for your assistance are, it is 
true, personally strangers to us, having come from 
other lands, and now dwell in another part of the 
w^orld; but they are, nevertheless, not only our 
fellow beings — and how shall we withhold our 
sympathies from our own flesh — they are also 
fellow Christians; yea, they are of the household 
of believers, who confess the same precious faith 
with us, and among whom many are found who 
excel many among us in a tender fear of God ; 
who, while they ask for our love and intercession, 
also send up to heaven ardent prayers for the good 
of Zion in the N'etherlands, and who desire the 
prosperity of our Jerusalem, in which piety our 
kindness will yet more eucourage them. 

We know fall well, that your love has been very 
much drawn upon, and the fountain of your charity 
has been well nigh exhausted by the many gifts 
which you have bestowed, not only upon the needy 
in your own land, but also upon strangers who 
come from all quarters, and extract their honey 
from the flowers of your liberality. It is also true, 
that you often obtain but little fruit from such ; on the 
other, hand, the results often show that the most 
of such help is lost, and used for other purposes, in 
the same way as that which, some 20 years ago, 
was contributed for the good of the Pennsylvania 
churches, and which, with a small exception, was 
not applied to the end for which it was given. 
10* 



114 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

This being all so, we can, nevertheless, assure 
you that you can never bestow your tender gifts in 
a safer way than now. The Commissioner of these 
congregations asks that he may be excused from 
collecting your gifts of love. He also desires that 
not a penny may be placed in his hands, or under 
his supervision. That which each one may find it 
in his heart fully to give, is not immediately to be 
consumed ; but to be established into a permanent 
capital, and secured in the most careful manner, 
the possession and control of which, according to 
Schlatter's own proposal, shall be placed under 
care, either of the State authorities of Holland, or 
of his Highness, our hereditary Mayor and faithful 
foster father of the church of God, or of the 
Christian Synod, according as may be thought best, 
whilst only the proceeds of the fund shall be 
annually devoted to the purposes for which they 
are intended, through the hands of the Christian 
Synods. 

If, as we earnestly hope, God shall awaken such 
liberal hearts as He Himself has so richly blessed 
with temporal plenty freely to give, they according 
to our judgment, unless the Christian Synod or the 
higher powers of the land, to which w^e submit, 
shall otherwise arrange it — hand over their gifts to 
the consistory of their own church, these can pass 
it over to the Classis, and thus again, to where it 
finally belongs. 

Since now this matter is of such importance, on 
w^hich the eternal well-being of so many thousand 
souls depends, it pleads its own cause, and we 



Schlatter's appeal. 115 

entrust it to your own hearts. We do not, there- 
fore, believe it necessary, by many motives, to seek 
to move your bowels of compassion, and awaken 
your liberality, that it may not seem as if we 
doubted your kindly disposition toward the needy, 
who call upon you for help. Still we may express 
the wish that the congregations of the Netherlands 
might learn better to appreciate their distinguishing 
advantages ; and set a greater value upon the 
administration of the word and sacraments, amid 
such a plentiful semce in the Gospel, by such a 
host of Evangelists and messengers of peace, 
wherever they compare themselves with the pitiable 
circumstances of so many congregations which are 
in distress, because, in so large a vinej^ard, they 
have no laborers. This one thing, we cannot and 
will not pass over, beloved Christian brethren ; but 
lay it before your eyes, and impress it upon your 
hearts ; because it seems so important to us. It 
appears to us plain that God designs, in Pennsyl- 
vania, an extensive country which has been, during 
so many centuries, inhabited by the most benighted 
heathen, who, so far as we can see, are not yet 
illuminated by the saving light of the Gospel — to 
prepare for his church a place which shall be a 
refuge to those who for various reasons leave or 
must leave their Fatherland. 

Although it is not for us to set times, we may 
yet regard this as certain, according to the sure 
word of prophecy, that fearful times and heavy 
persecutions await the Protestant Church, and that 
these are nearer to us than many believe. AVho 



116 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

can assure us that the bloody scourge, when it shall 
go abroad, will not come near to us, or that the 
churches of the Netherlands alone shall be saved 
from it ! 

True, God will so care for His Church, that it 
shall not be destroyed ; but it is bound to no land, 
of which fact we have many examples so well 
known, that it is not necessary to present them 
here. 

God will prepare a Zoar or a Pella for his per- 
secuted exiled people; but who can tell us before- 
hand w^here, and in what part of the world ? Now 
for several years He has commenced in Pennsyl- 
vania to found such a free city, to which many 
thousands, especially from the Palatinate and 
Switzerland — which were the first, and are now^ the 
principal seats of our Reformed churches, — have 
already repaired, and found a secure home. Who 
will say that this place of refuge is for them alone ? 
Would it not be a great privilege for us, should we 
also be necessitated from our present overflowing 
abundance, to bear thither stones for the building 
and completion of such a Zoar or Pella, since it 
may happen, although we pray that God in mercy 
may avert it, that we or our children, or later 
descendants, may be compelled to fly to such a 
place of refuge ? The Lord uphold and bless our 
country under our highly favored government ! The 
Lord bless his Church under the care of our cherished 
ecclesiastical assembhes ! The Lord bless the 
publication of His Gospel ! The Lord bless also 
those liberal souls who bless others, that they may 



Schlatter's appeal. 117 

prosper. This is the wish of those, who subscribe 
themselves, 

The humble co-workers and brethren 
of the High Church Assemblies, and 
of all benevolent Christians. 

The committee of the Classis of Amsterdam, in 
the name and by the direction of said Classis. 

Gerhardus Xulenkamp, 
V. D. M. Amst. 

Johannes Yan Der Worm, 

y. D. M. Amst. 

Jacobus Tyken, 

V. D. M. Amst. 

Johannes Van Der Brock, 

V. D. M. Amst. 

Hermannus Van Loo, 

V. D. M. at Naarden. 

David Thomson, 

Minister of the English Church in Amsterdam, 

Johannes Jacobus Kessler, 

Theol. D. German Reformed Minister in Amsterdam. 

So done in our Assembly, 
June 28, 1751. 



THE JOURNAL 



OF 



KEY. MICHAEL SCHLATTER. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



A true and humble Report to the Honorable Chris- 
tian Synod of the Netherlands, of the doings of 

MICHAEL SCHLATTEE, 

Minister in Philadelphia: in the Provinces of New 
England, New Holland, New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland and Virginia, 

AND ALSO 

a Representation of the true aspect and present state 
of the destitute congregations of North America. 



About five years ago, I was commissioned bj' the 
Reverend Synods of South and JSTorth Holland, 
furnished with extended instructions signed by the 
Deputies of both Synods under date of May 22d, 
1746, and sent to Pennsylvania, to examine into 
the condition of the destitute congregations, as 
well the German as Dutch Reformed, scattered in 

(118) 



Schlatter's appeal. 110 

this and neighboring Provinces. It was made my 
duty, as far as it should be possible by God's bless- 
ing, to bring these churches into proper ecclesiastical 
order and organization, and afterwards to present 
to the Reverend Synod a faithful report of their 
true condition. I have accordingly endeavored, as 
far as I have been able, to carry out the important 
commission entrusted to me, which may, under the 
divine blessing, conduce to the comfort and salva- 
tion of many thousand souls scattered through these 
regions, and intensel}^ hungering after the bread of 
life. ^N'or have I failed, from time to time, to send 
all necessary information in regard to the work, to 
the Honorable Deputies of both Synods, and to the 
Classis of Amsterdam. 

We have, however, learned to our sorrow, that 
the most of these reports have been lost through 
the confusion and irregularities occasioned by the 
war and other unfortunate circumstances; and, in 
consequence, the needed assistance from the favored 
ISTetherlancls has not been secured. Hence, the 
Reverend Assembly, composed of the few German 
Reformed ministers with their elders, was deeply 
impressed that it was highly necessary that the 
Christian Synods of the [N^etherlands, which for 
so many years had given proof of their tender con- 
cern for the well-being of the scattered and well- 
nigh helpless congregations of Pennsylvania, should 
be thoroughly informed of the true state of these 
churches, longing as they do for the word of the 
living God, and at the same time, on account of 
being without pastors, exposed to all kinds of sects 



120 LIFE AND LABOES OF SCHLATTER. 

and ciTorists. They cherish the firm hope and 
confidence that when this is done, the Keverend 
Church AssenibUes will not withhold their aid, but 
according to their well-tried zeal and universally 
acknowledged charitable spirit, take to heart the 
urgent necessities of so many thousand souls, and 
extend to them their strong assistance, refreshing 
them with their gifts of love, and so encouraging 
them that the work of the Lord thus commenced 
in these remote regions may be successfully carried 
forward. On this ground, the Reverend Assembly 
judged it proper, yea, and necessary, to commission 
one from their midst to make known, verbally 
and in writing, the true state of things, and humbly 
and heartil}^ to solicit substantial help and support. 
The choice has fallen upon me ; and I have been 
very tenderly exhorted by my brethren to give 
myself to this service ; and, although I have in this 
new country, scarcely enjoyed any rest during five 
years, I neither could nor would refuse, but will- 
ingly, and in the fear of God, have taken upon 
myself this labor. 

Accordingly, after having been provided by the 
Reverend Assembly with extended instructions, 
bearing date, December 15th, 1750, with a letter 
from my congregation in Philadelphia — among 
whom, during my absence, the services will be con- 
ducted by my beloved brethren, Reverends Weiss, 
Leydich, and Lischy — under date of December the 
13th of the same year, and with other documents, 
which might be found necessary, I took my leave 
amid many prayers and tears, from the congrega- 



Schlatter's appeal. 121 

tion which had been committed to my care, from 
my worthy brethren, and my beloved wife, and in 
the name of God, entered upon my journey. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord, who has safely 
led me and brought me into this favored land, — 
the land, as I hope and believe, of our help. 

First of all, I sought and found opportunity to 
open the subject of my mission, as well before the 
venerable Deputies of both Synods, as also before 
the Deputies of the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam ; 
these have taken the trouble, as far as possible, 
carefully to examine my documents and letters. 
These last susfo-ested to me whether it would not 
be best to draw out from my papers, and exhibit in 
the way of a brief extract, the true condition of 
the churches in Pennsylvania, as I had found them 
in my repeated journeys, and deliver the same in a 
printed form to the venerable Synods, that thus it 
might not only be examined by the respective 
members, but also be the more readily brought 
under the eye of all the Church officers of the 
J^etherlands, and even before all other Christians, 
who love the prosperity of Zion, to awaken them 
to extend kindly help. 

T presented this suggestion to the venerable 
Deputies of both Synods. These very Reverend 
men approved of it^ and thought it would be 
profitable, in case it could be done w^ithout any cost 
to me. 

The Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, in answer 
to my humble solicitation, appointed a commissioner 
to aid me in this matter — not only in having my 
11 



122 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

statement printed without any cost to me, hut also, 
as it was judged necessary, to accompany the same 
with an Introduction. The result hears witness to 
the zeal and tender interest of these Reverend 
brethren, which I respectfully acknowledge, with 
all gratitude. 

Thus I am placed in a condition to lay before 
the venerable Church Assembly this brief extract; 
accompanying it with the humble prayer, that it 
may be attentively and favorably considered, and 
that God may move the hearts of this venerable 
Assembly, as well as of all who bear concern for 
the Church of God, to deep sympathy and kindly 
acts of assistance in favor of so many thousand 
sheep without shepherds. 

Here I present nothing concerning my own 
particular afiairs, or such things as happened to my 
own person, since I publicly presented the writings 
that pertain to this before the commissioners of the 
venerable Synods and the Reverend Classis of 
Amsterdam, and submit myself willingly in this 
respect to the judgment of this venerable Assembly. 
I will only, in extracts from my diary or daily 
register, briefly communicate in w^hat condition I 
found the scattered congregations in my journeys 
through the difterent Provinces of ISTorth America; 
and what I have there done in order, as far as 
possible, to organize and arrange them : that thus 
the venerable Assembly may be placed in a position 
to judge how far I have fulfilled the high com- 
mission entrusted to me -^ve years ago by the 
venerable Synods of South and ISTorth Holland. I 



scihattee's appeal. j23 

Jill also seek honestly to lay open the true condi- 
tion of the churches of Penusykania and neigh- 
boring Provinces, and make my suggestions -yet 
submitting all to a better judgment -as to the 
manner in which help may most successfully be 
afforded them laying all in the most humble manner 
at the feet of the venerable Assembly, and com- 
mending it to their love. 



SCHLATTER'S JOURNAL. 



Extract from r)iy daily Journal during my travels 
in Nortli America^ in the Provi7ices of New Eng- 
land, New Netherlands New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, and Virginia, under the directio7i of 
the Reverend Synods of North and South Holland^ 
from A, D. 1746 to 1751. 



Section I. 
1746. 

His voyage — arrival in Boston — journey, via Newport and 
New York, to Philadelphia — visit to Revs. Boehm and Weiss, 
and Elder Reif — return to Philadelphia — labors there — visit 
to Rev. Dorstius in Bucks county — return to Philadelphia — 
opens his commission there — visit to Germantown — arrange- 
ments there. 

On the 1st of June, 1746, after having committed 
myself to the Divine guidance and protection, I 
took ship at Amsterdam and sailed for Boston in 
IN'orth America. 

On the 11th, we ran in between the Orkney 
Islands, on the north of Scotland, where we re- 
mained till the 23d, during wdiich time we saw the 
sun only on two days. The inhabitants, who 
appear to be a people of kind disposition, assured 

(124) 



Schlatter's appeal. 125 

us that in those regioDS they usually have, during 
the year, nine months winter, two months rough, 
and only about one month good weather. 

On the 23d, we proceeded very prosperously on 
our voyage till we reached the newly-discovered 
land near Cape Breton. But on the 24th of July, 
during an exceedingly dark night, we fell in with 
Sable Island, a very dangerous place, not far from 
Cape Breton ; and I cannot call to mind, without 
a shudder, but, at the same time, with thanks to 
God, the imminent danger we were in of losing our 
ship, goods, and lives, in the wild waves, which 
certainly would have been our fate, had not God, 
who is mighty to redeem, contrary to all our ex- 
pectations, rescued us, granting to us, in answer to 
our prayers, deliverance from our fears. Escaped 
from these perils, we were brought safely to Boston, 
our desired harbor, in seven days, where we sought 
to bring Ilim our bounden tribute of thanksgiving 
and praise. 

When, on the 1st of August, we had arrived in 
Boston — the largest and most populous city of the 
English colonies in America, containing about 
3000 well-built houses — I was received in this land 
of my pilgrimage with much love and kindness by 
the Honorable I. Wendel, a distinguished Holland 
merchant, and an officer in the government there. 
This friendly reception encouraged me, and gave 
new life to my hope that God would prosper me 
in my way. 

After I had sent my baggage on before me by 
vater to Philadelphia and ISTew York, through the 
11* 



126 LIFE AND LABOKS OF SCHLATTER. 

favor of my clistinguislied friend I set out on the 
4th of the same month on my journey by land in 
the agreeable company of Dr. Beckmann. 

On the 7th, we came to E"ewport, lying seventy 
English miles^ distant from Boston, a respectable 
and well-situated town on Ehode Island, with a 
convenient and safe harbor, from which ships can 
reach the sea in the space of one hour. 

On the 11th, after we had travelled 230 more of 
these miles, we reached N'ew York, or 'New Am- 
sterdam, the capital of the Province of the New 
]S"etherlands, containing about 2000 houses. This 
city, as well as Long Island and other places lying 
East and South, as well as along the main land, 
and along the banks of the North River to Albany, 
and on to Scoharie, more than 250 miles into the 
interior, and toward Canada, is settled mostly 
with well-disposed Low Dutch inhabitants. During 
my stay in that city I received special proofs of 
friendship from the three Dutch ministers, espe- 
cially from the venerable Father Du Bois, who is 
equally esteemed by the English and Dutch, and 
who has already labored in the ministry with great 
success for more than fifty years, and has reached 
the age of eighty. This is another proof that this 
climate is as favorable to health as that of Europe. 
Indeed, from my own experience, I can truly testify, 
that often, when contemplating the towns, the level 

^ I shall, hereafter, always reckon the distance I pass over 
from one place to another according to the measure of English 
miles, of which about three make what is called in German a 
" Stunde." 



Schlatter's appeal. 127 

country, the climate, and the sensible inhabitants, 
living in the same manner, enjoying the same 
culture, pursuing the same business, and differing 
but little from Europeans, I could scarcely realize 
that I was in reality in a distant quarter of the 
world. 

On the 6th of September, I came to Philadelphia, 
a distance of ninety-five miles from 'New York, 
where the elders of the German Reformed Church 
received me with much tender affection and joy, 
and secured me lodgings with an elder, in whose 
house I resided eight months, though at my own 
expense. 

On the 7th, I w^ent a distance of sixteen miles to 
Witpen,^ to visit the oldest German minister in 
these regions, whom the Lord has since released 
from his post, the Rev. J. B. Boehm. The vene- 
rable man received me in the most friendly manner, 
and promised, after he understood my commission 
and instructions, heartily to assist me in counsel 
and in deed, w^hich he has also fulfilled to the 
extent of his powder. 

On the 8th, I went out eight miles from thence, 
to see Mr. J. Reif, to require of him, agreeably to 
the instructions of the Synod, an account of the 
moneys collected in Holland by him and Rev. G. M. 
Weiss, sixteen years previously, for the benefit of 
the churches of Pennsylvania. Having declared 

* Thus, he was only over one night in Philadelphia hasten- 
ing to his work. The reader will notice throughout his Jour- 
nal how little time he spent in intervals. His industry is 
astonishing. 



128 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

himself ready to render account, I fixed the time 
for settlement twelve days later, and gave him the 
privilege of naming the place of meeting for that 
purpose. 

That no time might be lost, I returned to Phila- 
delphia on the 9th, a distance of twenty-three miles, 
to make inquiry in relation to the 130 German 
Bibles, which, some years before, had been sent 
thither by the aflectionate care of the Christian 
Synods of Holland. "Without much difficulty, I 
found them in the careful hands of the Honorable 
Benjamin Schumaker, who also, as soon as he saw 
my authority, and learned from me that the freight 
on the Bibles had already been paid to Mr. Z. 
Hoppe in Rotterdam, very cheerfully transferred 
to me 118 bound and twelve unbound copies, all 
of which were in a good state of preservation ; and 
he declined receiving anything for the expenses 
which he had incurred on their account. 

Of these Bibles, first of all, I either carried 
myself, or sent, a copy to most of the congregations 
in Pennsylvania for the use of the pulpits. Fur- 
ther, fifty copies were placed at the disposal of the 
ofiicers of the churches, to be distributed according 
to their discretion to the poor. Others I gave to 
one and another poor persons in the way of loan, 
thereby to strengthen their zeal in reading and 
examining the w^ord of God. Six or eight of them 
I sold in order to use the proceeds in the purchase 
of Catechisms for the use of the school children, 
and about twenty-four copies still remain in my 



Schlatter's appeal. 129 

hands to be disposed of whenever necessity may 
require. 

On the 11th, with the assistance of Rev. Boehra, 
I administered the Holy Supper to about 100 com- 
municants in Philadelphia. 

On the 13th, I received a letter from Rev. G. M. 
Weiss and Mr. J. Reif, inviting me to meet them 
at the house of the latter on the 21st, in order to 
settle their accounts. 

In the meantime, I sought to bring into proper 
order the congregation in Philadelphia, and to 
nnite it with Germantowu, lying six miles distant, 
which could both be served on every Lord's day 
by one minister, to whom also they would be able 
to give an adequate support. 

On the 16th, I went to Bucks count}', a distance 
of sixteen miles, to greet Rev. P. H. Dorstius, who, 
when made acquainted with my instructions, re- 
ceived me in a most friendly and paternal manner, 
offered to render me his assistance in every way, 
and promised me, at a convenient time, to organ- 
ize his consistory and report to me the result. 
After this, I returned to Philadelphia. The next 
day the elders showed me the new stone church 
which is in progress of building. 

On the 18th, I preached in the old, half-fallen 
church in Philadelphia, from Isaiah xlviii. 17, 18. 
After the close of the service, I gave to the whole 
congregation an exposition of the Synodical in- 
structions which I had brought from the Fatherland. 

This awakened inconceivable joy, and inspired 
new life in the minds of the peo^^le. They thanked 



130 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

God, with tears of joy, because He had awakened 
the hearts of the ministers and Church Judicatories 
in Holland to interest themselves in behalf of these 
distant regions and to provide for the w^elfare of 
their immortal souls. With much melting of 
heart, I found occasion for gratitude, and took 
delight in thanking God for this good beginning, 
and, at the same time, I entreated Him most 
humbly to confirm in the people the good disposi- 
tions which He had effected, to advance the w^ork, 
and seal it by His Holy Spirit to the glory of His 
ever-adorable name, and to the salvation and 
blessedness of many souls. 

To the male members of the Eeformed Church, 
I put these three questions : 

J. Whether they w^ere disposed to have a regular 
and permanent teacher, to preach to them once on 
every Lord's day, and to perform the other duties 
of the holy pastoral office ? 

II. Whether also they could and would provide 
for him an adequate salary for his subsistence ? 

III. Whether, to accomplish this end, they woula 
unite with Germantown, in order, as united 
churches, to be served by one pastor ? 

These three questions were unanimouslj' an- 
swered in the affirmative, as they were proposed, 
by each one raising his right hand.^ Hereupon, I 

* According to a custom of taking a vote prevalent in Switz- 
erland in great State Assemblies, in which a majority of raised 
hands decides the question at issue, -whence this mode of voting 
is there called "the majority." This method I subsequently 
employed in all the churches. 



SCnLATTER'S APPEAL. 131 

gave opportunity for each one to subscribe his 
name, and voluntarily to pledge what he felt dis- 
posed to give annually toward the support of a 
minister. The whole sum thus subscribed by sixty- 
nine heads of families amounted to thirty pounds, 
Philadelphia currency, equal to 200 Holland 
guilders. At my request, sixteen men then became 
surety for the whole sum thus pledged by the 
church. 

On the afternoon of the same day I went to 
Germantown, a distance of six miles, and preached, 
not without the blessing of God, from Joshua xxiv. 
14, 15. At the close of the service, after opening 
to them the matter and object of my coming to 
this countr}^, I proceeded to propose to them in 
the same manner the three questions, as I had 
done in Philadelphia, which were here also decided 
favorably by raising the right hand. Sixty men, 
by signing their own names, pledged ^twenty-five 
pounds annually, equal to about 166 Holland 
guilders, for the support of a minister. 

This was the first charge, by the blessing of God, 
contrary to the expectations of many, so arranged 
as to sustain a pastor. To God, who has softened 
their hearts and united them in love for their own 
good, be given all the honor and the praise. 

From that time on, I have preached in these 
united churches on every Lord's day when I was 
not absent on journeys. And in order that, by 
deed, I might convince them that I did not serve 
them merely for the sake of my bread, I neither 
required nor received any salary for the first 3'ear. 



132 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

In Germantown, there had been no stated preacher 
for many years, althougli there is a convenient 
stone church in that place. 



Section II. 

1746. 

Schlatter visits Goshenhoppen — examines ReiFs accounts — 
visit to Oly — to Rev. Reiger in Conestoga — to Tulpehockeu 
— return to Lancaster — assembles all the ministers in Phila- 
delphia — great encouragement — reports to Holland — visit 
of J. C. Wirts — arrangements for future operations. 

On the 19th of September, I went to Old Goshen- 
hoppen, a distance of 35 miles, having, at his 
request, promised to preach there on the 20th, for 
Rev. G. M. Weiss. 

On the 20th, I preached there in the new stone 
church. However, on account of some confusion 
in that congregation, occasioned by a certain 
schoolmaster, who has undertaken to preach with- 
out regular license, and has gathered a party 
around himself, I was not able to accomplish any- 
thing profitable, or make any arrangements for the 
formation of a regular charge or the support of a 
minister. To my deep regret, I was compelled to 
leave the afiairs of this church as I had found them, 
and await a more favorable opportunity. 

Mr. "Weiss, who several months ago, had fled 
from his church at Reinbeek, near Albany, in IS^ew 
York, from fear of the war, had come hither on 



Schlatter's appeal. 133 

invitation of this and other congregations in the 
vicinity. He is also beloved by many ; yet, on 
account of the adherents of the one who Iwis 
irregularly thrust himself into the service of the 
church, it is necessary still to exercise great 
prudence. 

On the 21st, being the time appointed, I went 
with Rev. Weiss to the house of Mr. Reif, to 
investigate his account of the money collected in 
Holland. I will not publish the particulars, or the 
peculiar circumstances of this case ; but prefer to 
lay them before the Reverend Synods, and only 
here say, that this disagreeable business was not 
disposed of till the beginning of the following 
year, 1747. Through the intervention of four 
English gentlemen, who were chosen as arbitrators, 
a settlement was at last made, and Mr. Reif, after 
deducting his expenses, paid over to me 135 pounds, 
or about 900 Holland guilders, for which I am pre- 
pared to render an account. 

On the 22nd, I went, in company with Mr. Weiss 
over the mountains to Oly ; and the following day, 
to Lancaster in Conestoga, to speak with Rev. Mr. 
Reiger, between whom and the church disharmony 
had arisen, and to make an appointment for myself 
to preach on the following Tuesday, when I would 
hold an interview with the church. 

In the mean time, the Rev. Mr. Boehm had gone 
at my request to Tulpehocken, to collect the two 
congregations there together, on the 24th, to preach 
a sermon preparatory to the Holy Supper, and to 
await my arrival there on the 25th. 
12 



134 LIFE AND LABOES OF SCHLATTER. 

On the 24tb, I left in company with Mr. Weiss, 
and went a distance of 29 miles to Tulpehocken, 
w^ere on the 25th, I preached with much divine 
assistance, and not without a blessing, to a respect- 
able congregation of more than 600 persons, in a 
wooden church. The congregation listened to the 
proclamation of God's holy word with great devo- 
tion and attention. The ardent desire which they 
manifested to be edified, to have a regular order 
established among them, and the hope of obtaining 
a permanent minister, could be read upon their 
countenances. They could not conceal their ex- 
ceeding joy and surprise in seeing three ministers 
together at one time, a circumstance w^hich in all 
their lives, they had not witnessed there before. 
The old and the young together shed tears of joy. 
I can truly say that this day was to me and my 
brethren, above many other days, a day of great 
refreshment. I thought of the blessed ^N^etherlands, 
where the heralds of the Gospel are a great host, 
while this extensive country is perishing for lack 
of ministers. This large congregation has never 
had a regular pastor ; but Mr. Boehm has adminis- 
tered the Holy Communion here twice a year, 
travelling each time for that purpose, 80 miles from 
Philadelphia. 

After the sermon, Rev. Boehm and myself 
administered the Lord's Supper to more than 100 
members. Afterwards, I informed the congrega- 
tion of my /commission from the Fatherland, and 
made the same arrangements with them as I had 
made with the congregations of Philadelphia and 



Schlatter's appeal. 135 

GermantowD. They obligated themselves for the 
support of a minister in the two congregations, 
situated about five miles apart, and consisting of 
about 500 members. The}^ promised in money 
and produce about 50 pounds, or 333 guilders, all 
of which may more particularly be seen from the 
call, which, on the 13th of October, I forwarded to 
the Reverend commissioners of the two Synods, 
and to the Christian Classis of Amsterdam. With 
the approbation of the congregation, I also appointed 
Elders and Deacons, and ordained them. Thus 
the second chars^e was in a measure established. 

On the 26th, I returned to Lancaster ; and after 
I had preached there on the 27th, I explained to 
them the object of my mission. They were unani- 
mous in desiring a stated minister. The Rev. Mr. 
Reiger himself judged this to be best ; as he and 
the church could not succeed together, although 
they had no substantial complaints to bring against 
one another. They promised to contribute 40 
pounds in money for the support of a minister, 
besides some presents additional, amounting to- 
gether to near 300 Holland guilders : all of which 
is noticed in the call sent over to Holland. 

After I had there ordained and installed regular 
officers, and thus arranged properly this third charge, 
I returned to Philadelphia on the 28th, a distance 
of 63 miles ; while Rev. Weiss went to his post in 
Old Goshenhoppen. 

On the 2d of October, I preached in Philadelphia 
and Germantown. 

I invited in the most friendly manner the four 



136 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

German ministers, who were at this time the only 
regular ministers engaged in the holy service in this 
extensive country, to meet together in Philadelphia 
on the 12th day of October. 

The Reverends Boehm, Weiss, and Reiger, 
appeared at the appointed time and place ; and the 
Rev. Mr. Dorstius informed us in a friendly letter, 
that he was unable to attend on account of some 
domestic arrangements. This was the first assembly 
in which these Reverend Brethren had all been 
together, notwithstanding one and another of 
them, had already been laboring about 20 years 
in this part of the Lord's vineyard. The object 
desired by this meeting was that not I, but the 
Lord, might unite their hearts in love ; w^hich every 
one not only manifested with the tenderest words 
and with many tears to have been realized, but 
also confirmed by subscribing certain articles of 
peace, a copy of which I have forwarded. God be 
praised for this agreement and unanimity among 
the brethren, which has given these ministers 
themselves great satisfaction, and been the means 
of enabling them to engage in their work with new 
zeal and delight, because they can carry it forward 
by united elibrts ; and it has furnished all the 
congregations in the country with a blessed 
example, and ministered greatly for their edifica- 
tion. 

Towards myself, these four brethren have shown 
themselves friendly, aflectionate, and brotherly. 
They have respected my Synodical Instruction in 
all its parts, submitted themselves to it, and have 



Schlatter's appeal. 137 

most frankly promised that, as far as possible, they 
would assist and support me in ray efforts to fulfil 
the duties of my commission. 

On the 13th, I forwarded by Mr. Philip Ulrich, 
of Philadelphia, a narrative of my proceedings thus 
far in Pennsylvania, with the papers and documents 
appertaining thereto, to the Reverend Christian 
Synods and to the Classis of Amsterdam. 

On the 15th, a certain J. C. Wirts,^ of Zurich, 
came to visit me, who endeavored to excuse him- 
self for having served as a minister for several 
years in some congregations in this country with- 
out any regular call or ordination. He said he 
had done this partly in compliance with the earnest 
solicitations of the people — who would rather be 
edified by an unordained teacher than remain 
entirely desolate of spiritual nourishment — and 
partly on account of having been destitute of any 
other means of support ; and he humbly entreated 
me to lend him my counsel and assistance, that he 
might obtain from the Fatherland a regular ec- 
clesiastical induction into the oflice of the ministry, 
and afterward be properly installed as pastor in 
some churches that might desire his services. I 
gave him to understand that I was not yet sufii- 
ciently well acquainted either with his abilities or 
manner of life, nor with the disposition toward 
him of those congregations in which he had hitherto 
performed his irregular labors; but that I hoped 

* See the Author's "Lives of the Fathers of the German 
Reformed Church in Europe and America" for an account of 
this man. 

12* 



138 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

in the ensuing spring to be able to investigate the 
matter, and report to the respective Synods as the 
circumstances of the case should seem to warrant, 
and then await their orders. 

In the meantime, I made arrangements for a 
second journey through the country, giving pre- 
vious notice to every congregation of the time when 
I should be with them. 



Section III. 
1746. 

Visits Rev. II. M. Muhlenberg at Providence — Falkner Schvs'am 
— returns to Providence — visits Goshenhoppen — Indianfield 
— returns to Piiiladelphia — labors in Germantown — visits 
Hallmill, in New Jersey — encouraging reflections — installed 
Pastor at Philadelphia — Introductory Sermon — close of the 
year 1746. 

On the 15th of October, having humbly sought 
the guidance and blessing of God to prosper me in 
my way, I travelled from Philadelphia to Provi- 
dence,^ a distance of thirty miles, and visited the 
Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, the first Lutheran preacher 
in this country, who, in the year 1742, was sent 
hither by the very Reverend Court Preacher, 
Ziegenhagen, of London, on nearly the same foot- 
ing with myself and for the same object. I found 
it expedient to seek an understanding as to how it 
was necessary for me to act toward them in refer- 

' What is now called the Trnppe, in Montgomery County. 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 139 

ence to the frequent intermarriages of these two 
denominations in these reo;ions. His Reverence 
received me with all possible affection and bro- 
therly kindness, commended himself and his breth- 
ren to our friendship, and desired that we might 
dwell together in neighborly amity and peace ; 
which fellowship has also been preserved sacred 
and inviolate during the w^hole time I have been 
in Pennsylvania, so that one may w^ell desire that 
such traces of harmony might also be found in 
Gerniany. 

On the 16th, in union with Mr. Boehm, I ad- 
ministered the Lord's Supper in his church, in 
Falkner Schwam, eight miles distant, to ninety 
members. After the service, forty-six heads of 
families engaged to contribute annually fifteen 
pounds, equal to 100 Holland guilders, besides 
some rye and oats, for the support of a minister. 

When, on the 18th, I had returned to Provi- 
dence, I preached there in a barn, since the poor 
congregation there has hitherto not been able to 
build a church. When, according to my custom, 
I had made known to them my commission, they 
obligated themselves to raise a salary of fifteen 
pounds annually in money and grain, or 100 Hol- 
land guilders, for the support of a pastor. How- 
ever, one-third, at least, of these two congregations 
were not present at these meetings ; and Rev. Mr. 
Muhlenberg, who is the Lutheran preacher here 
and in Falkner Schwam, assured me that the 
Reformed are here very numerous, and, as soon as 
they saw good order established, received preach- 



140 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

ing every two weeks once, and their youth were 
properly instructed, they could and would do more 
than they had promised ; in proof of this, he ap- 
pealed to his own experience. Accordingly, I 
suppose that about forty pounds, which is equal to 
266 Holland guilders, may be raised here. This 
is the fourtJi charge which I have thus far organized. 

In the afternoon I went to Goshenhoppen, a 
distance of eighteen miles, to see Mr. "Weiss, and 
preached on the 19th in JSTew Goshenhoppen, with 
a view of endeavoring, in conjunction with Messrs. 
Boehm and Weiss, by some means, with the bless- 
ing of God, to reconcile the divisions and factions 
made in this church by a man who has thrust him- 
self uncalled into the ministry, and has drawn 
around himself a party composed of about twenty 
families. Although we did not, at this time, suc- 
ceed in accomplishing this object, yet the Lord 
interposed some time afterward and restored order. 
This church, with old Goshenhoppen and Great 
Schwam, are served by Mr. Weiss, and all three 
together furnish not more than about forty pounds, 
or 266 Holland guilders, for the support of a min- 
ister. This is the fifth charge. 

On the 20th, I continued my journey thirteen 
miles farther to Indianfield, or Indian Creek. 
Here I preached with much satisfaction in a new 
w^ooden church. The congregation received the 
w^ord of God with much warm desire, and sighed 
earnestly for the healthful bread of life, and for a 
regular ecclesiastical organization. It would distress 
me exceedingly if these poor shepherdless sheep 



Schlatter's appeal. 141 

would have to remain destitute of a minister, since 
forty-six heads of families cheerfully engaged, 
according to their several abilit}^, to contribute 
annually fifteen pounds, or 100 Holland guilders 
in money and produce. If this church were united 
with Witpen and Skippach, these three congrega- 
tions would be able to contribute thirty-three 
pounds, or 233 Holland guilders, for the support 
of a minister. Thus this would constitute the sixth 
charge. 

Having left that place the same evening, I lodged 
that night in the house of Kev. Boehm, distant 
fifteen miles ; from thence I returned on the 21st 
to Philadelphia, sixteen miles farther, giving 
thanks to God that my journey, although it had 
not, in all respects, resulted agreeably to my wishes, 
was, nevertheless, not altogether fruitless. 

On the 22d, I preached a sermon preparatory to 
the Lord's Supper, at Germantown, after which I 
called each one to me, and having spoken what 
was necessary with them, I recorded each one's 
name. 

On the following day, I administered the Lord's 
Supper to fifty-eight members, among whom were 
some that had not been at the table of the Lord 
for ten and twelve years. 

On the 4tli of ^N'ovember, I went to New Jersey, 
on the Ilalhiiill, a distance of thirty-three miles. 
After I had preached a preparatory sermon and 
made a special examination of the members,^ 

[' There is here, as also in the next to the last preceding 
paragraph, an allusion to a most excellent custom which seems 



142 LIFE AND LABOES OF SCHLATTER. 

I administered the Holy Supper to thirty-nine 
communicantSj and, after having held the thanks- 
giving sermon,^ I returned, on the 7th, to Philadel- 
phia. 

At the close of my travels for this year, I must 
say, that I have met in various places, many truly 
upright and pious people, who awakened my 
inward sympathy, when, with tears in their eyes, 
I heard them lament the pitiable condition of their 
brethren in the faith, and that of their innocent 
children — the former for years together deprived 
of spiritual nourishment and care ; the latter 

to have prevailed in our churches at an early day. The custom 
alluded to is more clearly seen in a rule adopted by the con- 
gregation at Lancaster, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Otter- 
bein, in 1757. " To the end that all disorders may be prevented, 
and that each member may become more fully known, every 
one, without exception, who desires to receive the Lord's Sup- 
per, shall, previous to the preparatory service, upon a day 
appointed for that purpose, personally appear before the min- 
ister for the purpose of an interview." This custom prevailed 
in that congregation for more than seventy years, and it was, 
no doubt, also in vogue in other old congregations. The 
members visited the parsonage during the week preceding the 
Holy Communion, leaving their names as communicants, and 
affording an opportunity to the pastor of making any inquiries 
into the progress of their religious life, and of imparting such 
counsels and comforts as their circumstances might require. 
Not all old customs are evil ! — IL H.] 

[^ It will be noticed that this venerable custom was regularly 
observed by Mr. Schlatter. It has been observed within the 
writer's recollection by some pastors. We sincerely mourn its 
departure from our churches. How appropriate and truly 
edifying to a pious heart is such a service ! Surely it is not a 
good — is it not an evil spirit which has swept it away ? — H. IL] 



Schlatter's appeal. 143 

wandering without instruction in the first principles 
of religion — and who, destitute of faithful pastors 
and teachers, have been drawn toward all kinds of 
erroneous opinions and sects. Such, with a flood 
of tears, and hy all that is holy, entreated and 
implored that I would, by the help of God, assist 
them as far as I possibly could, and thus secure 
help and comfort to poor forsaken souls. 

I have everywhere found that the congregations 
nianifest the highest regard for the energetic and 
consoling instructions given me by the Reverend 
Deputies of the two Synods, scarcely anywhere, 
have I read them in a congregation without seeing 
tears of joy flow richly down the cheeks of most 
of the hearers. They thanked God, who had 
moved the hearts of the Fathers in the ^N'etherlands 
to adopt them as poor forsaken orphans, and to 
provide for their welfare, and that of their children. 
They prayed joyfully that He who had begun this 
work might be pleased to carry it on to completion, 
to bless the means employed, and to sustain the 
feeble instrument to whom this important mission 
has been entrusted, and qualify and guide him by 
His spirit. 

What concerns myself, I have often been com- 
pelled to acknowledge that God has sent me by 
the special direction of His gracious providence, 
with such a commission at the most favorable time. 
I often wished, it is true, that a work of so much 
importance had fallen into more competent hands ; 
yet, since I know that the ways of God in His 
sanctuary are unsearchable, and that He often 



144 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

accomplishes great ends by the smallest and most 
inadequate means, that it may be made manifest, 
that the excellency of the power is of God, and 
not of men, I cheerfully submitted myself to His 
will, and sought help from Him who giveth vigor 
to the wear}^, and power to him that hath no 
strength, relying upon the promise that those who 
hope and trust in the Lord, shall never be made 
ashamed. 

The vineyard of the Lord in these widely ex- 
tended regions lies deplorably desolated by means 
of all kinds of sects and erring spirits, who have 
come from Germany, and taken their course through 
this country, so that those who confess the pure 
Reformed doctrine, have been exceedingly dis- 
couraged. It appeared some years ago, as if the 
crafty Herrnhuters^ would carry away by their 

[' It would be a great injustice to Mr. Schlatter as well as to 
the Moravians, to whom he alludes in this and other places in 
such severe terms, if this should be taken to mean what the 
face of it seems to imply. It only applies to a certain medley 
of religious factors united at that time, with a view of forming 
wdiat was called " a congregation of God in the spirit" — " Eine 
Gemeinde Gottes im Geist," — into which Reformed, Lutherans, 
Moravians, and others were alike drawn. The Moravian 
element seemed to have been the strongest in it, and was last 
to extricate itself, and hence endured the largest share of 
reproach for its connection with a movement which it did not 
originate. "VVe have given an account of this singular move- 
ment, in the Life of Rev. Jacob Lischy, which will be found in 
our " Lives of the Fathers of the German Reformed Church in 
Europe and America,^' to which the reader is referred, as fully 
explaining these seemingly severe references to the Moravians 
both by Mr. Schlatter, and also by Rev. Muhlenberg, without 



Schlatter's appeal. 145 

seductive doctrines, many of our members as well 
as of other denominations, and play the master in 
this country. However, God, who does all things 
well in His own time, and who knows best when 
the proper time has come to send out help from the 
sanctuary, has by the most impressive instructions 
of your Reverend Synods revived the dispirited 
members of the Reformed church, yea, has fully 
assured them, that the Judicatories of the church 
of the lls'etherlands take a deep and serious interest 
in their welfare. This has made such an impression 
on the minds of many, that by this, together with 
the hope of obtaining the ministrations of pure 
evangelical truth, very many have been induced 
again to return to the church from which they had 
already gone out, and have escaped from the 
dangerous fetters of the Herrnhuters. 

Among these was the Rev. Jacob Lischy, for- 
merly a zealous leader and an ordained teacher^ of 
this sect, but now an earnest opposer of them — 
of which his published writings testify — and a 
faithful minister of the holy Gospel in the churches 

reproach to the Moravians, as such, or want of charity in those 
who thus refer to them. We know no denomination of Chris- 
tians which excel the Moravians in their quiet devotion to the 
ways of peace and love ; among whom, there is an equal degree 
of holy zeal for the extension of the true kingdom of Jesus 
Christ ; and where there are so many lovely exhibitions of the 
true Christian spirit. They are truly a people after the type 
of John and Mary — may God long preserve to them their 
ancient spirit against the seducements of more modern ways, 
which their fathers knew not nor loved. — 11. H.] 

* According to an Act, dated Jan. 1743, and subscribed by 
the .so-called Bishop David (Nitchmein.) 
13 



146 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

in which he now usefully labors, by a license 
meanwhile granted him upon the strength of a 
written confession ^ handed over by him ; yea, he 
is now to me a dear brother and fellow-laborer in 
faith and prayer. So that now, so far as I know, 
the deceivers are gaining no new adherents. 

Towards the end of this year, the congregations 
of Philadelphia and Germantowm very earnestly 
entreated me to take charge of them as their 
regular pastor. Rev. Mr. Boehm, who had preached 
here once a month, and who was desirous, on 
account of advanced age and infirmity, of being 
released from this care, warmly urged me to accede 
to their wishes ; because he believed that it would 
be for the best of both these churches. I suffered 
myself to be persuaded, and as I had been unani- 
mously called by both these congregations, in the 
fear of God, I accepted the call ; on condition that 
Rev. Boehm would continue his monthly services 
to them for six months longer, that I might without 
interruption, still farther continue my journey's 
through the country, to visit the scattered congre- 
gations, and make all necessary arrangements in 
their behalf. Whereupon, I was regularly installed 
on the 21st of December, by Rev. Boehm. 

On New Year's day (old style) 1747, in the 
name of the Triune God, I preached my introduc- 

* Which confession, dated October 29th, 1748, I transmitted 
in a copy to the Reverend Deputies of the Synod, and the 
Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, the original of which, with 
other writings, I have now brought with me. 



Schlatter's appeal. 147 

tory sermon as the regular pastor and teacher in 
the German Reformed Church in Philadelphia, 
from Gen. xxxii. 26. 



Section IY. 
1747. 

Beginning of the year 1747 — receives many moving letters — 
is visited by two men from Virginia — also by Dr. Miller of 
Falkner Schwara — visits Skippach — Witpen — is installed 
by Rev. Boehm in Germantown — visits Dr. Miller, and 
baptizes his family — catechizes children — communion in 
Philadelphia — visit to Pilesgrove in New Jersey — his labors 
there — returns to Philadelphia. 

During the winter months, when I for the most 
part remained at home, I received many soul-stir- 
ring letters, from large and small congregations in 
remote regions. Besides this, delegates came to 
my house daily, among whom were some who had 
come 200, yea, 300 miles. Among others, there 
were two men who came from Virginia, 300 miles 
from here, bearing a most urgent and moving 
letter from the destitute congregations in those 
parts. All these manifested, in the mo&t touching 
manner, their ardent desire for the word of the 
living God, and urged me myself to visit them, 
that I might be an eye-witness of their sad condi- 
tion, hoping in this way the more to move me — 
as if it were in my power — to secure them pastors 
who should be able rightly to divide the Word 



148 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

among them, and to instruct, exhort, and comfort 
the many souls who long for wholesome nourish- 
ment. The recollection of this scene even now 
again affects me in the tenderest manner ; and it 
seems to me, that a heart of stone would have been 
moved to sympathy in witnessing the many tears, 
and in reading and hearing the touching petitions, 
with which they so humbly presented their case. 
that the church in the blessed jSTetherlands, where 
the chief shepherd, by the hand of a host of faith- 
ful under-shepherds, makes his people feed in green 
pastures, could have before them a full picture of 
the true condition of so many congregations, in a 
widely-extended country, and a land in which they 
are strangers, among the thousands of whom God 
has sent a true hunger, — a hunger not for the 
bread which perisheth, a thirst not for natural 
water, but a hunger to hear the Word of the living 
God — where they run to and fro from east to west 
seeking spiritual food, and seek almost in vain — 
could this picture, as it truly is, be before them, 
they would more highly prize their own privileges 
and advantages, and at the same time feel them- 
selves moved by the tenderest and most powerful 
sympathy toward their brethren of the same faith, 
and would join in prayers with them and for them, 
that God would soon provide them pastors after 
His own heart, who would gather the scattered 
sheep, and lead them with the staff of the true 
Shepherd. For myself, I could not do otherwise 
than verbally and by letters comfort and encourage 
these longing souls with promises, expressing the 



Schlatter's appeal. 149 

hope that I might be able to come to them, and 
assuring tb^-m that I would do all in my power to 
procure them pastors. 

At this time, I was also visited by John Miller, 
Doctor of Medicine, who besought me with tears 
to come over to him, by holy baptism to incorpo- 
rate with the church his wife and nine children. 
He acknowledged with inward sorrow, that ou 
account of the manifold disorder in the churches, 
he could not until now induce himself to unite 
with any congregation; now, however, since he 
saw that good order was about to be introduced, 
it was the strong desire of his heart to join with a 
properly organized congregation ; and accordinglj-, 
he is now a consistent and zealous Elder, and a 
prominent pillar of the church in Falkner Schwam. 
I promised him, if God will, on the 15th of March 
to come to his house. 

On the 29th, I made a journey of 50 miles to 
Skippach, preached there in a certain private 
house, and made known to the congregation my 
commission. This congregation, which was pre- 
vious to this time, one of the most respectable, has 
been so much reduced through the seducing influ- 
ence of the many various sects, that the members 
remaining, are not able to collect for the support 
of a minister, more than eight pounds, which is 
equal to fifty-three Dutch guilders. 

On the 2d of February, I preached in the house 

of Rev. Boehm, 32 miles from the former place, 

to a congregation, called Witpen, which is located 

only half a mile from that place. They have 

13* 



150 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

built a small stone church, and secured Rev. Mr. 
Boehm as their pastor, to whom they are at present 
able to pay only ten pounds, or sixty-six Dutch 
guilders, as salarj^ Should this congregation be 
united with Skippach, Indianfield and Tohiken, 
the four congregations, according to my judgment, 
would be able to collect forty pounds, or 266 Dutch 
guilders. 

After I had again returned to Philadelphia, I 
was, on the 15th, installed in the congregation of 
Germantown by Eev. Boehm ; on which occasion, 
I preached my introductory sermon from Ezek. iii. 
17, 18, 19. 

On the 17th of March, according to promise, I 
went the distance of thirty-nine miles to Doctor 
Millers house; and in circumstances of much 
encouragement, administered the sacrament of 
holy baptism to his wife, and eight children then 
living — one of his children had died only a few 
days previous. Several hundred persons were 
assembled on this occasion to witness this solemn 
service, an occurrence so new among them. It is 
not easy to describe with what reverence and divine 
impressiveness this solemn transaction transpired, 
and hov/ edifying it proved to the spectators aud 
auditors. The mother with her children prostrate 
upon their knees, made a brief and hasty profession 
of their faith in the essential principles of religion, 
-and in a sincere and reverent manner made the 
most solemn promises before God and men, that 
they would faithfully adhere to the Eeformed 
doctrine agreeably to the word of God; whilst the 



Schlatter's appeal. 151 

sponsors standing behind them, responded with the 
greatest readiness, and heartily to the questions 
addressed to them, and showed their wilUugness to 
assume the care thus devolved upon them. 

Furthermore, from New Year to Easter, I in- 
structed twenty children in the catechism class 
three times a week, making them acquainted with 
the principal parts of our holy doctrine. All these 
were, on Thursday before Easter, publicly in the 
church and in the presence of the whole congrega- 
tion, and greatly to their awakening and edifica- 
tion, received as members of the church. 

When, on the 19th and 20th of April, I admin- 
istered the Holy Communion, there were in Phila- 
delphia 165 and in Germantown 115 communi- 
cants. 

On the 26th, I travelled thirty-eight miles into 
New Jersey to Pilesgrove, near the Hallmill,^ and 
administered the Holy Communion to forty mem- 
bers of this congregation; and after I had, with 
acquiescence of the congregation, ordained and 
installed elders and deacons, and, as far as possible, 
effected what was necessary to good order and 
edification in the congregation, I returned again to 
Philadelphia. 

P This seems to be a stream. Schlatter, after the custom of 
the time, was in the habit of designating a settlement by the 
stream which flowed through it. Pilesgrove is a township in 
Salem County, N. J., about ten miles north-east of the town 
of Salem, through which flows a stream called now Salem 
Creek, which is, no doubt, the Hallmill of early times. — II. II.] 



Section Y. 
174T. 

A great journey to Monocacj, in Maryland — Lancaster — 
churches on the Susquehanna — York — Lischy — Conewago — 
Monocacy and Canegogegue — great encouragement — return 
journey — Lischy and the Moravians in York — preaches at 
Lancaster — returns, to Philadelphia — visits New York — pre- 
pares the way for the organization of the German Reformed 
Synod — communion in Philadelphia and Germantown. 

On the 29th of April, amid earnest prayers that 
the presence of God might go with me, I under- 
took a great journey to Monocacy and other places 
in Maryland, with a view also of visiting the con- 
gregations on the borders of the Susquehanna, 
having before given notice to each congregation 
of the time when I expected to be with them. On 
the first day, I got as far as Lancaster, and the 
following day I reached the Susquehanna, a dis- 
tance of seventy-three miles. This is the largest 
stream in the English colonies, which, like all the 
other streams, has received its name from the 
Indians and until now has retained it. In like 
manner, also, do the regions of country receive 
their names from the streams which flow through 
them. Hence if, in what follows, I shall mention 
any places not referred to before, it must be re- 
membered that then I have passed over some 
larger or smaller stream, a matter which is fre- 
quently not accomplished without great danger. 

(152) 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 153 

At least, when I crossed the Susquehanna it was 
greatly swollen, so that I crossed it with twelve 
men at the oars of the boat, and then only reached 
the opposite shore amid dangers which threatened 
my life, the river being, at that time, about two 
miles wide. 

On the 2d of May, I arrived at Yorktown, six- 
teen miles farther. This is a town on the Codorus, 
which w^as newly laid out six years ago. Here 
and in the resrion around I found a larfi:e Reformed 
congregation, which has heretofore been served 
by Rev. Jacob Lischy. After I had, on the 3d, 
preached a sermon in the church preparatory^ to a 
worthy participation of the Lord's Supper, and 
promised, by the help of God, to return on the 10th 
to administer the Holy Communion, I started on 
the 4th for Conewago,^ a distance of twenty-nine 
miles, where, on the same day, I held a prepara- 
tory service in a school-house, and, on the follow- 
ing day, I administered the Hol}^ Supper to eighty 
members, and under the open heaven administered 
holy baptism to twenty-one children because the 
house could not contain the multitude that assem- 
bled. When I here opened my commission to the 
people, it was listened to with great joy and with 
the tenderest emotions by this shepherdless flock. 
They at once acquiesced in it, and forty-five heads 
of families bound themselves, by signing their 
names, that they would raise as much as they 
could as salary for a minister, namely, twelve 

[ ' Now called Christ's Church, in Adams County, Pa. — II. II.] 



154 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

pounds in money and something in grain, all of 
which would amount to about 133 Dutch guilders. 

On the 6th, I journeyed forty miles farther to 
Monocacy, where, on the following day, I held 
preparatory service to the Holy Communion, and 
baptized twentj^-six children, and, on the 8th, ad- 
ministered the most excellent Supper of the Lord,^ 
with peculiar interest and much edification, to 
eighty-six members. 

After divine service was ended, I read my 
instructions to the people. The congregation, 
anxious after spiritual food, listened with tears of 
joy and with gratitude to God, and forty-nine 
heads of families at once offered to raise, for the 
support of a minister, in money and grain, the 
amount of forty pounds, equal to 266 Dutch guil- 
ders. If this congregation were united with an- 
other called Connogocheague, lying thirty miles dis- 
tant, these two would be able to sustain a minister. 

Farther, I must say of this congregation, that it 
appears to me to be one of the purest in the whole 
country, and one in which I have found the most 
traces of the true fear of God ; one that is free 
from the sects, of which, in other places, the 
countrj^ is filled. For, on 7000 acres of land in 
that neighborhood there were none but such as 
are of the German Reformed faith. This may be 
the seventh congregation or charge. 

After I had here, as in other congregations, 
ordained elders and deacons, I went the same 
evening to Conewago, where, after having travelled 

\} Das hochwiirdige Abendmahl. — H. II.] 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 155 

forty miles, I arrived on the 9th at six o'clock in 
the morniDg, and on the same da}^ yet, I again, 
preached a preparatory sermon in Yorktown, 
thirty miles farther, and spoke also specially with, 
the communicants, because the Moravians have 
instigated much confusion in this congregation, 
to which Mr. Lischy, who here undertook the 
duties of a minister while he yet remained with 
this sect, has furnished the occasion. I also bap- 
tized twenty-nine children. 

On the 10th, I administered the Lord's Supper 
to 150 persons. In the afternoon, after the thanks- 
giving sermon, I read my instructions to the 
people, and 100 heads of families bound themselves 
to pay fifty pounds, equal to 333 Dutch guilders, 
for the support of a minister. Accordingly, this 
is the eighth congregation or charge. 

From this place I went to Lancaster, where I 
preached on the 13th ; and, by the goodness of 
God, I arrived again safely in Philadelphia on the 
14th, after I had travelled on my home journey a 
distance of eight}' -eight miles. On the 15th, I 
moved into a house which I myself rented, where 
I misrht have more room and freedom to meet and 
speak with those who came daily from all direc- 
tions to consult with me about theh' own condition 
and that of their congregations. 

On the 22d, I made a journey to ISTew York in 
order to confer with the Reverend ministers there 
in regard to the founding of a Synod of the Ger- 
man congregations in these regions, as well as 
about other important matters. I wished also to 



156 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

solicit from the Consistory there a friendly contri- 
bution to our newly-erected church in Philadelphia, 
to which also they responded, and shortly after- 
wards sent forty-tw^o pounds, and the Rev. Curte- 
nius, in the name of his congregations in Hakinsack 
and Swatenburg, also sent fourteen pounds, making 
in all about 360 Dutch guilders. Then, without 
losing any time, I returned to Philadelphia, where 
I arrived on the 30th, after having travelled a dis- 
tance of 200 miles. 

On Whitsuntide, being the Tth of June, I admin- 
istered the Holy Communion in Philadelphia to 
ninety-four, and on the following day in German- 
town to sixty-five communicants. In these, my 
own congregations, I sensibly felt with joy, and 
to the praise of the free goodness of God, that they 
increase from day to day, live in peace, and are 
edified, which serves greatly to comfort and quicken 
me in my heavy labors. 



Section VI. 
1747. 

Visit to the interior of Pennsylvania — Conestoga — Zeltenrich 
church — Lancaster — Donegal — Modecreek — Cocalico — Weis- 
eichenland — labors in these churches — Terapleman and his 
labors — visits Tulpehocken — Manadany — Magunschy — 
Egypt — Lehigh — Bethlehem — Nazareth — meets Lischy — 
a hireling — Saccony — meets Mr. Wirts — Springfield — 
Schuggenhaus — two charges — returns to Philadelphia — 
receives a moving letter from New Jersey — a letter from 
Lischy — sends a circular to all the ministers and elders of 
the German Reformed churches, inviting them to the meet- 
ing of the first Synod — communion in Philadelphia and Ger- 
mantown — the first Synod — Synodical Sermon by Rev. 
Reiger — Sessions and Acts — baptism of an emancipated 
slave — his devoted life. 

After having commended mj'self to the Divine 
government and direction, on the 10th of June I 
undertook an extensive journey. 

On the 11th, after having journeyed a distance 
of fifty-six miles, I came to the stream called 
Conestoga, and preached for a small congregation 
called Zeltenrich's,' which was heretofore served 
by Eev. Eeiger. Some twenty heads of families 
offered that, according to their ability, they would 
cheerfully contribute between seven and eight 
pounds, about fifty Dutch guilders, for the support 



[' Near the present town of New Holland, in Lancaster 
County, Pa. — H. IL] 



158 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of a minister, who should come only on one Lord's 
day in each month and preach for them. 

On the 12th, I went to Lancaster, a distance of 
twelve miles. After speaking specially with the 
members on the 13th, writing down their names, 
and preaching a preparatory sermon, I adminis- 
tered the Holy Supper on the following day to 
225 persons. The crowd of people which had 
assembled on the occasion was so great that the 
church could scarcely contain the one-half, so great 
was the desire to hear the word of God, and the 
greatest portion returned to their homes w-ith joy 
and thankso-ivino;. To God let all the honor be 
brought for the assistance which he has vouchsafed 
to his weak and unworthy instrumentality, and for 
the goodness which he has shown toward his poor 
destitute people. 

On the 16th, I went sixteen miles farther to 
Doneo^al, a church which lies north of Lancaster. 
There I preached to a small but spiritually hungry 
congregation of about twenty families, who, after 
they understood my commission, cheerfully pro- 
mised to the support of a minister who should only 
now and then visit and edify them, in money and 
grain twelve pounds, or about eighty Dutch guil- 
ders. 

On the 18th, I went twenty-six miles farther to 
preach at Modencreek, on the 19th, at Cocalico, 
eight miles off, and, on the 20th, six miles still 
farther, in Weiseichenland, where I preached a 
preparatory sermon. After I had opened my com- 
mission to each of these three congregations, I 



Schlatter's appeal. 159 

secured from the first an obligation for eleven 
pounds ; from the second, one of six pounds ; 
from the third, one of twenty-three pounds ; mak- 
ing, altogether, the sum of 266 Dutch guilders for 
the support of a minister. If, now, the previously- 
mentioned small congregation called Zeltenrich 
should be united with these, the four churches 
could be served by one minister, so that one ser- 
vice might be held in each congregation once a 
month, and the whole charge could raise a salary 
of about fifty pounds, or 333 Dutch guilders. 
Thus these united congregations would constitute 
the ninth charge. On the 21st, I administered the 
Holy Supper in Weiseichenland to seventy mem- 
bers. 

Up to this time, these congregations have been 
edified and served by a certain tailor, from Hei- 
delberg, named Templeman, whom the people, 
some twenty years ago, urged to this service, they 
being willing to be instructed and comforted by a 
pious layman rather than be wholly without the 
public service of God. This man, who is nearly 
sixty years of age, is reported of by the congrega- 
tions as a man of correct views, quiet and peaceable 
in his spirit, by which he has won the love and 
respect of the community. After I had adminis- 
tered the Lord's Supper, I asked him to preach the 
thanksgiving sermon, to which I listened with 
pleasure and edification, as being well adapted to 
the circumstances of the people. He, of his own 
accord, offered that he would cheerfully vacate the 
post, to which the necessity of the circumstances 



160 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

had called him, as soon as a regular minister should 
be secured for these congregations ; but, at the 
same time, asked that he might be placed in such 
circumstances, that, as a regularly constituted 
minister, he might conduct the holy service in the 
congregations of Quittophilla,^ Swatara, Donegal, 
etc. He resides at Swatara, where he has a family 
and a small piece of land. I am of opinion that 
when he shall receive a regular investiture of the 
sacred office, according to the order of the Church, 
he could labor there unto good fruit. 

On the 23d, I went fifteen miles farther to Tulpe- 
hocken, where in passing I preached. From thence, 
I went to Manatawny, thirty-five miles distant, and 
made an engagement to preach there the following 
Sabbath. 

From Wednesday to Saturday, the 24th, 25th, 
and 26th, I visited the congregations in Manatawny, ^ 
Magunchy,^ Egypt,'* and on the Lehigh, a circuit 
of fort^^-five miles, and came near to Bethlehem, 
a location of the Moravians ; and here, in the 
providence of God, I met with Jacob Lischy, who 
was at that time attached to that sect. This man, 

[* The present Lebanon. The town was laid out three years 
later, in 1750, and was called at first Steitzetown, after the 
man who laid it out. — H. H.] 

[2 The name of a stream, and thus at that time the name of a 
settlement. The church is what is now called the Olej church, 
in Berks county. — H. H.] 

[3 This church is situated in Magunchy township, Lehigh 
county, in the village of Trexlerstown, on the road leading from 
Allentown to Kutztown, — H. IL] 

["* This church is also in Lehigh county. — H. H.l 



Schlatter's appeal. 161 

although he had never before seen me, resolved to 
accompany me a distance of ten miles to ^N^azareth. 

When we got into conversation, this man very 
magnanimously manifested a hearty penitence and 
sorrow that he had sufiered himself, with many 
other erring souls, to be bewitched by the crafty 
Brethren, and to become entangled m the net of 
their soul-destroying teachings and customs. This 
open-hearted acknowledgment gave occasion to an 
extended and earnest conversation, in which I was 
fully persuaded of the honesty and sincerity of his 
intentions, and of his firmly formed determination 
completely to separate himself from the Brethren, 
and gladly return again into the bosom of the true 
Eeformed Church. I agreed to write to the 
Reverend Christian Synods in regard to this inte- 
resting circumstance, and wait for their counsel and 
direction, and earnestly advised him, meanwhile, 
to consider the matter in silence and the fear of 
God, and afterwards in writing to transfer to me 
in Philadelphia his conclusion. From Nazareth, 
I returned again to Bethlehem, and five miles 
farther. 

On the 27th, according to promise, I arrived at 
Manatawny, a distance of twenty miles, where on 
the following day, I preached to a great multitude. 
Still, as these people had sufiered themselves to be 
drawn by a certain hireling, who had also instigated 
and maintained divisions in Goshenhoppen, I could 
not here proceed, as I desired to institute good 
order. On this acount, I left soon after the sermon, 
14* 



162 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

and went twenty-five miles farther to Saceony,^ a 
congregation which is served by a certain Mr. J. E. 
Wirtz, to whom I have already referred. Here I 
preached on the 29th, and when after the service, 
I had laid my instructions before them, I asked the 
congregation, whether they would have Mr. Wirtz, 
who was also present, as their minister, in case he 
should be regularly qualified by the Reverend 
Christian Synod ? The congregation was not 
entirely unanimous ; some desired rather to have 
another regular minister, in order that full unity 
might be restored in the congregation. 

In the afternoon, I went nine miles farther to a 
place called Springfield, or Schuggenhaus, ^ and 
after I had preached there on the 30th, I spoke 
with the congregation, which was also served by 
Mr. Wirtz, and found them in all respects minded 
like the one just mentioned. 

In this region there are four or five small congre- 
gations, namely, Saccony, Forks of Delaware,^ 
Springfield, and Lehigh, which would be able to 
contribute about thirtj'-three pounds, or 233 Dutch 
guilders for the support of a minister. Here, too, 
there is great need of an able minister, since 
Bethlehem, the seat of the Moravians, is near to 
it. This would be the tenth charge. 

[' This congregation is situated in Lower Saucony township, 
Northampton county, Pa., about two miles from the present 
village of Hellertown, toward the Delaware river. — H. H.] 

p This church is in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pa., 
on the east side of the road that leads from Hellertown to 
Philadelphia. — H. IL] 

p The present Easton. — H. H.] 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 163 

Farther north is Heidelberg, Egypt, and Jordan, 
^Yhich three congregations have alone promised to 
contribute forty-two pounds, or 280 Dutch guilders 
for the support of a minister. 

Kot far from these, are Magunchy,^ Allemengell, 
and Schmaltzgas;^ so that for the proper provision 
of all these congregations, at least three ministers 
are needed. Accordingly, these would constitute 
the eleventh and ttvelveth charges. 

On the 2d of July, I left for Philadelphia, a 
distance of forty-nine miles, rendering thanks unto 
God, w^ho had protected me in all my ways, and 
had given me His spirit as my counsellor and 
guide ; and beseeching him fervently so to govern 
all things that the great harvest might soon be 
provided with faithful laborers. 

When I had safely arrived at home on the 3d, 
I found a very earnest and moving letter written 
by several congregations in the province of N"ew 
Jersey, namely, at Lebanon, Foxhill, and Amwell 
in the region of the Earitan, distant about seventy 
miles from Philadelphia.^ They urge me with the 

[1 This church is in the northern part of Berks county.— H.H.] 

[2 This church is situated in Salisbury township, Lehigh 
county, about four miles south of Allentown, and one mile 
from Emmaus, on the bank of the Little Lehigh creek. It is 
now called Jerusalem church. — 11. H.] 

[3 " In dem Rarentans," must mean in the settlements on 
the branches of the Raritan river — one of which extends as 
high up as German Yalley, in Morris county, where there was 
early a strong German settlement. 

Amweil, now Amwell, is a Township in Hunterdon county, 
N. J., watered by a branch of the Raritan. The church here 
called Amwell is in this Township, thirty-nine or forty 



164 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

strongest motives, jesi, they pray me for God's 
sake, to pay them a visit, that I may administer to 
them the Lord's Supper, and by baptism, incorpo- 
rate their children with the church, who have 

miles from Philadelphia, and is an old German Keformed 
church. *' The German Reformed church of Amwell," says 
the venerable Rev. Dr. J. Kirkpatrick of the Presbyterian 
Church, in a letter to the author dated Dec. 19th, 1856, " had 
an existence 116 years ago. I think the deed for the ground 
on which their house stood, bears date 1740." In the same 
letter he says: "The German Reformed church of Amwell 
was under the care of the German Reformed Synod till the 
first of the year 1810. Up to the close of the year 1809, they 
had a pastor. His name was Wack. He left them, and they 
united with the first Presbyterian church of Amwell, and 
assumed the name of The United First Presbyterian Church 
of Amwell. As such, in connection with the 2d Presbyterian 
Church of Amwell, they gave me a call in the first of the year 
1810. I have been their pastor ever since that date.'^ We are 
in possession of a number of interesting documents relating to 
the early history of this church, which we hope to bring for- 
ward at some future time. 

The church called Poxhill, is located at the foot of a hill of 
that name in German Valley, about thirty miles north of 
Amwell. " About forty years ago," says Dr. Kirkpatrick, 
** they made application to the Presbytery of New Brunswick 
to be received under their care. The Presbytery received them, 
and settled a pastor among them of the name of J. R. Castner. 
He is long since dead. The German Reformed Synod com- 
plained of the Presbytery for receiving them. But the people 
said they were so far from the Synod, that they received no 
attention — and they became Presbyterians." 

The church called Lebanon, is about half-way between 
Amwell and Foxhill, or German Valley. " I have preached 
in it often," says Dr. Kirkpatrick. "I think it has passed over 
to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church." — H. 11.] 



Schlatter's appeal. 165 

already during three or more years remained with- 
out bajJtism. 

In the month of August, I received the first 
letter from Mr. Lischy. At this time, I addressed 
circular letters to all the ministers and elders of 
the German Eeformed congregations, to invite 
them in the most friendly and fraternal manner to 
attend the first ecclesiastical Synod or assembly, 
which was contemplated to be held on the 29th of 
September, in this year. 

On the 26th of September, I administered the 
Holy Supper in Philadelphia to eighty-nine, and on 
the following day, in Germantown to fifty-nine 
members. 

On the 29th, being the time appointed, by the 
blessing of God, the first ecclesiastical Synod was 
commenced to be held in my house in Philadel- 
phia. 

In the morning at nine o'clock, the assemblj^, 
consisting of thirty-one members, proceeded to the 
church, where Eev. J. B.Eieger opened the Synod 
by a suitable and edifying sermon on Psalms 133. 
In the afternoon at two o'clock was held the first 
session, which I opened with prayer and closed 
with thanksgiving — the same was also done at 
every subsequent session. The minutes of what 
was done at this Synod are here present, that they 
may be brought before the Reverend Christian 
Synodical assembly. 

On the 11th of October, I baptized a negro in 
the church at Germantown, together with his child, 



166 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

after he had previously made a profession of his 
faith. This negro was a redeemed slave, and is 
still an unblamable member of the church. 



Section VII. 
1747. 

Schlatter and Eeiger a committee of Synod to visit York on 
the troubles between Lischy and the congregation — feelings 
of the congregation — sentiments of Lischy — the decision — 
returns by way of Lancaster to Philadelphia — letters from 
remote churches — visits the congregations in New Jersey — 
Eockaway — Foxhill — Amwell — grateful offerings of these 
churches — return — first sermon in the new church in Phila- 
delphia — close of the year 1747. 

Having been appointed by Synod, in connection 
with Rev. Reiger, to examine into the strife which 
had arisen in the congregation of Yorktown be- 
tween that congregation and Mr. Lischy, which 
had been occasioned by his proclivities to the 
Moravians, I went to Lancaster on the 21st, a 
distance of sixt}' -three miles from here ; and, on 
the 23d, I went, in company with Mr. Reiger, 
twenty-five miles farther, to Yorktown. Here I 
preached a preparatory sermon on the 24th, and, 
on the following day, Mr. Reiger and myself ad- 
ministered the Holy Supper to the congregation. 
After divine service, I asked the whole congrega- 
tion how they felt inclined toward Mr. Lischy; 
whether they would receive him as their regular 



Schlatter's appeal. 167 

pastor, in case he should be appointed by the Rev- 
erend Christian Synod of Holland, and installed 
among them agreeably to the order of the Church ? 
The greatest number of the members said that, if 
it were possible, they would prefer another minis- 
ter, because they mistrusted that he had not yet 
fully withdrawn from the Brethren ; still, if they 
had very clear evidence of his good intentions, and 
he would make such a public acknowledgment as 
the Christian Synods should approve, they would 
be inclined to bestow upon him again their former 
affection. 

Mr. Lischy, who, during this transaction, con- 
ducted himself with propriety, manifesting good 
sense and Christian meekness, promised to put 
upon paper the true sense of his heart, and hand 
the same over to Mr. jReiger and myself, and said, 
that we might be assured that sincerity and up- 
rightness lay as the mainspring of all he had done. 
We admonished him to refrain from administerins: 
the Holy Sacrament till further orders should be 
given. Still, we told him we would consent that 
he, if he desired it, should deliver exhortations 
unto the edification of the people in his own house 
to such as should feel inclined to hear him, in 
order, in this way, to relieve the people of their 
concern as to the sincerity of his intentions. 

On the 27th, I returned fmm thence, by the same 
way, to Lancaster ; and, after I had preached there, 
I continued my return journey to Philadelphia, 
where I arrived, on the 29th, safely and in happy 
spirits. 



168 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTEE. 

In the beginning of l^ovember, I received various 
letters from congregations lying in remote regions, 
beseeching me either myself to visit them or make 
arrangements that some one of the ministers in the 
country might come to them and administer to 
them the Lord's Supper, after which they greatly 
longed. 

On the 13th, I undertook the journey to the 
three congregations in IsTew Jersey, from which I 
had, on the 3d of July, received a most friendly 
and pressing invitation to visit them. On the 14th, 
after a journey of sixty miles, I came to Rockaway.' 
Here I received twenty young persons into the 
church as members after they had made profession 
of their faith, preached a preparatory sermon on 
the 25th, and, on the following day, administered 
the Holy Supper, in a small church, to an attentive 
and reverent assembly. In the afternoon, I went, 
ten miles farther, to Foxhill, where I preached a 
preparatory sermon, and, on the following day, 
which was the 18th, administered the Holy Supper 
to forty members. On the same day, I went from 
thence, thirty miles farther, to Amwell, and there, 
on the 19th, also administered the Holy Supper to 
thirty members. 

After I had performed this solemn service, to 
the great edification of the congregations, and had 
yet, in each place, preached a thanksgiving sermon, 

[^ He afterwards mentions this church as being nineteen 
miles from Amwell, and near enough to Foxhill, namely, ten 
miles, to enable him to preach there in the afternoon of the same 
day. — II.II.] 



Schlatter's appeal. 169 

after the communion I returned again to Philadel- 
phia on the 20th, a distance of forty miles, joyful 
in heart and giving thanks to God for the support 
which he had rendered me. 

I cannot refrain from referring briefly to the 
fact that these three congregations, from gratitude 
for the service I had rendered them, handed me a 
pecuniary reward; and this was the first money 
which, since my arrival in America up to this time, 
I have received from any congregation for my 
labor and pains. Also, in my own congregations, 
up to the present time, I have drawn no salary. 
I must state, however, that different congregations 
have offered me some money, but I declined re- 
ceiving it, in order to convince them that I did 
not seek theirs, but them; while, in the meantime, 
God has provided for me in a way that calls for 
devout praise, and has also enabled me to be con- 
tent with little. 

On the 6th of December, I preached for the first 
time in the yet unfinished new church in Phila- 
delphia, without pulpit or windows, since the old 
church could not contain one-half of the people. 

On the 25th and 26th, I administered the Holy 
Supper in Germantown to 61 and in Philadelphia 
to 100 communicants. 



15 



Section YIII. 

1748. 

Labors the first four months in the new year — journey to 
Virginia — preparatory sermon at Lancaster — arrangements 
with Rev. Reiger — Susquehanna river — York — Conewago 
— Monocacy and Fredericktown in Maryland — Connogo- 
cheague — appearance of the country — Potomac river — droves 
of deer — Fredericktown in Virginia — fearful rattle-snake — 
Shenandoah river — New Germantown — preaches in these 
places — return journey — lonely and dangerous way — Goat 
river — the Potomac river — preaches and administers the 
sacraments at Frederick in Maryland — aflfecting scene — 
Conewago — York — affair of Lischy — Ascension day at 
Lancaster — return to Philadelphia. 

During the first four months in the year 1748, 
besides attending carefully to the duties of my 
oflice, and diligently instructing the youth by 
catechisation, I also labored to bring into proper 
order the church books of Philadelphia and Ger- 
mantown, and to record in them the names of the 
members and their families. 

On the 10th and 11th of April, we celebrated 
the Holy Supper in Philadelphia with 171, and in 
Germantown with 64 communicants. 

Looking to God for direction, I undertook a 
great journey in the beginning of May, 1748, to 
Virginia and neighboring localities. 

On the 3d, I made my w^ay to Lancaster, a dis- 
tance of sixty-three miles, where I preached a 

preparatory sermon, and promised, if God should 

(170) 



schlattee's appeal. 171 

permit me iu health and safety to return from 
Virginia, to celebrate the holy communion with 
them on the 19th, being Ascension day. I also 
besought Rev. Eeiger so to arrange his matters, 
that he might meet me in Yorktown on the 17th, 
when we would examine more closely into the 
affairs of Mr. Lischy. On the same day, I con- 
tinued my journey across the Susquehanna river to 
Yorktown, a distance of twenty-five miles; and 
from thence, after I had attended to some necessary 
duties, I went thirty miles further to Conewago, 
where on the 6th, I preached a preparatory sermon. 
On the 7th, I continued forty miles farther to 
Monocacy in the province of Maryland, where, on 
the 8th, in Fredericktown, a newly laid out town, 
I preached a preparatory sermon in the school- 
house ; and on the same day, in company with an 
Elder of this congregation, who of his own free 
will offered to accompany me through Virginia, I 
continued my journey thirty -four miles farther to 
Connogocheague, crossing the so-called Blue Moun- 
tains,^ so that we did not arrive in Connoo-ocheasfue 
till two o'clock in the morning of the 9th, when 
we came to the house of an honest Swiss, and 
gratefully enjoyed a very pleasant rest. I preached 
there yet on the same day. This congregation, 
lying to the north from Maryland, and hence 
belonging still to Pennsylvania, might be served 
by the minister at Monocacy.^ 

[1 Now called South Mountain. — H. II.] 
[2 " His course from Frederick was nearly in a North lino, to 
what is now Burkittsville, and thence diverging to nearly east, 



172 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Here in this region there are very fruitful fields 
for grain and pasture; they produce Turkish corn^ 
almost without any manure, among which are 
stalks ten and more feet long; and the grass is 
exceedingly fine. In this neighborhood there are 
still many Indians, who are well disposed and very 

he crossed the mountain through what is now, and always has 
been known as " Crampton's Gap" — thence by way of Rohrers- 
ville in Pleasant Valley, and Keedysville on the Antietam, 
about three miles south-west from where Boonsboro now 
stands ; thence in a westerly direction to the settlements on the 
Connogocheague, aboutseven or eight miles west of Ilagerstown ; 
and the place where he preached at the time, must have been 
somewhere in the vicinity of what is now " Saint Paul's 
Church,'' in the vicinity of Clearspring, which is the oldest 
congregation in that country. 

Here the first settlement in the county was made, the 
first settlers being. Germans, and members of the Reformed and 
the Lutheran Churches; as Reformed families, I can name the 
Kershners, Seiberts, Sellers, and Prices. They settled on the 
Connogocheague, because in it they found good timber for build- 
ing and other uses, whilst the rest of the valley was destitute of 
timber, and only covered with scrub-oak and hazle-hushes. 
Near Clearspring, and on the Potomac, are still to be seen the 
I'cmains of the Fo7^t they built, and in which they kept their 
families when the Indians became troublesome. This was 
afterwards rebuilt by Gen. Braddock, and was then called 
Fori Frederick, and is still known by that name. The country 
was then destitute of roads, and the way pursued by Mr. 
Schlatter was simply a horse paiJi or trail, though afterwards 
laid out into a public road, and so used until some forty or fifty 
years ago as the great highway to the West. Who the honest 
Swiss was, I cannot tell, but presume he must have been one 
of the families I have named." Letter from Lewis M. Uarhaugh, 
Esq. of Ilagerstown, Md., dated Dec. 13th, 1856. — H. H.] 

[' " Tiirckisch Korn" — Maize, or Indian corn. — II. II.] 



Schlatter's appeal. 173 

obliging, and are not disinclined toward Christians, 
when they are not made drunk by strong drink. 

After the sermon, we left and passed on ten 
miles farther toward the Potomac river, which is 
at this place one mile wide, from which also we had 
a fine view of the place, where the Connogocheague 
stream falls into this river. Here is the boundary 
at once between Pennsylvania and Virginia, and 
between Maryland and Virginia.^ This evening, 
we journeyed fifteen miles without having seen 
either a house or a human being ; but we saw deer 
in droves. 

On the 10th, after we had gone twenty miles 
farther, we took our dinner in rredericktown,^ in 
Viririnia. On this road we met with a fearful rattle- 
snake, seven or eight feet long, and ^ve inches 



P " The point where he crossed the Potomac at the mouth of 
Connogocheague is where Williamsport now stands, which is 
next to the oldest town in the county. Here it was then 
supposed the line run long afterwards (in 1761) by Mason and 
Dixon would strike the Potomac/' Letter of Lewis M. Harhavgliy 
Esq. The Potomac is not ordinarily a mile wide — it may have 
been swollen by rains at the time. " Some of the early settlers 
in Martinsburg and vicinity say that they remember when the 
river spread itself very wide, so that when high, it might with 
truth be said, it was about a mile wide." Letter from Bev. J. 
G. TFo//. — II. H.] 

[2 This was Winchester. " Die Graffschaft Frederick wird 
grostentheils von Deutschen bewohnt,und liegt zwischen dem 
blauen und Nord-Gebirge in einer sehr fruchtberen und 
angenehmen Gegend. In derselbe liegt Frederick Town oder 
W^inchester, mit einer verffallenen Schanze." Beschreihnng 
des Brit. America, von Christian Leisie, 1778, pp. 335, 
336. — II. H.] 



1 



5* 



174 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

thick across the Lack. This is one of the most 
dangerous kind of snakes; still, it warns the trav- 
eller by rattling when he is even yet twenty steps 
off, so that he has time to avoid it. This evening 
we came to a Reformed congregation at the Shen- 
andoah River, fourteen miles farther up.^ 

Here I preached on the 11th, and in the after- 
noon at another place,^ to a pretty large number 

[^ " The place where he preached at the Shenandoah, must 
have been where the town of Strasburg is now located, which 
answers very nearly to the distance he gives, and is one of the 
points of the early settlement of the valley. There is no German 
Reformed congregation there now. The property has passed 
into the hands of the Lutherans, as has much of the Reformed 
property through this valley. — 11. H.] 

[2 " That other place," where he preached in the afternoon, 
was Woodstock, the next point of early settlement in the 
valley, which was made by Germans. In his estimate of the 
distance from here to New Germantown, he is certainly wrong, 
unless he took a very circuitous route ; for the next early point 
of settlement is where New Market now stands, and is only 
twenty miles from Woodstock ; the next, and extreme point of 
the settlement of the Germans, could not have been further 
than the vicinity of Harrisonburg, which would answer to his 
distance, but this is a comparatively recent town ; but the 
others I know are old, and were laid out, and begun by the 
first settlers. At Winchester and Woodstock were the Forts to 
which they fled for protection and defence. It could not have 
been Stanton, for this would have been too far, and the 
settlement here was made by the Scotch-Irish, and they were 
Presbyterian. They used the same building as a church and 
- Fort. It is still standing; and from its substantial and massy 
appearance will continue to stand until the " wreck of matter.'' 
It is still used as a church, and w^hen I was there some five 
years ago, I was told the membership numbered about fifteen 
hundred souls. New Germantown then, must have been whut 



Schlatter's appeal. 175 

of hearers, and baptized many children and adult 
persons. 

On the 12th, we continued our journey toward 
the south-west, not without weariness and danger 
from wild beasts, forty-two miles farther to 'New 
Germantown. 

Here I preached on the 13th, and spake with 
the good congregation, promising them that, by 
the help of God, I would visit them again at 
some other time and remain longer with them. 
In the afternoon, we commenced our return journey 
to Monocacy and came to the Goat River ;^ we 

is New Market now. The " good congregation" has been 
nearly broken up there ; there are some Reformed members 
there still, and recently an effort was made to revive it, but 
with what success I cannot tell. The church was built of logs ; 
and although nearly rotted down, the Lutherans appropriated 
it. Those early settlements were made by members of the 
German Reformed and Lutheran churches ; the property was 
held jointly. Wherever a religious body was organized^ it was 
the custom of Lord Fairfax, who was then the proprietor of 
all this part of Virginia, to lay out a Glebe for them, and to 
give it to the church for religious and educational purposes. 
The Reformed interest in nearly all of these has been lost from 
time to time ; and many of the Reformed congregations have 
been broken up, and scattered, and lost to the church." Letter 
of Lewis M. Harhaugh, Esq. — H. H.] 

[' From New Germantown, or New Market, he must have 
crossed the mountain again ; and on his return, passed through 
Prince Williams and Loudon counties, and struck the Potomac, 
as is supposed, somewhere near Lovettsville. The Goat river, 
or " Goes flus," is the south branch of the " Shenandoah." It 
cannot be " Goose creek," (this is a small stream in Loudon 
county, near to a section of country still known as the German 
settlement,) because it takes its rise on the east side of the 



176 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

travelled a wearisome road of fifty-five miles throngh 
a rough and wild wilderness, and in the evening 
we were overtaken by a heavy thundergust. On 
the 14th, after a journey of nineteen miles more, 
we came, to our great joy, to our friends in a good 
house on the Potomac — which is here one-third 
broader than it was farther up at the Connogo- 
cheague — here for a short time we enjoyed rest and 
refreshment, after which we continued with new zeal 
on ourjourney, and went on the same day twenty-one 
miles farther, and reached Monocacy in good time. 
On the 15th I preached at Fredericktown, in a 
new church, which is not yet finished, standing 
behind a table upon which had been placed the 
holy covenant seals of Baptism and the Lord's 
Supper. When I was preparing myself for the 
first prayer, and saw the tears of the spiritually 
hungry souls roll down over their cheeks, my 
heart was singularly moved and enkindled with 
love, so that I fell upon my knees, in which the 
whole congregation followed me, and with much 
love and holy desire I commended the house and 
the congregation to the Triune God, and wrestled 

mountains, and farther up the valley than he was, and empties 
into the Potomac at least twenty-five or thirty miles below 
where he struck that river. The "good house" where he was 
refreshed, I take to have been that of old father Wenner, whose 
descendants still live there, and own the ferry which has come 
down to them from generation to generation. His distance 
from this point to Frederick answers better than it would 
from any other point on the Potomac, or, than it would from 
any point on " Goose creek.'' Letter from Lewis 31. Harhaugli, 
LJ^q. — U. H 



Schlatter's appeal. 177 

for a blessing from the Lord npoti tbem. After 
the sermon, I administered the Holy Supper to 
ninety-seven members, baptized several aged per- 
sons and children, married three betrothed couple, 
and installed new elders and deacons — all of 
which was done with the greatest propriety of 
deportment, deep reverence, much enlivening of 
hearts, and to general edification. It is a great 
advantage to this congregation that they have the 
best schoolmaster that I have met with in America.^ 
He spares neither labor nor pains in instructing 
the 3'oung and edifying the congregation according 
to his ability, by means of singing, and reading 
the word of God and printed sermons on every 
Lord's day. 

On the 16th, I administered the Holy Supper in 
Conewago, forty miles from this place, to fifty 
members. After travelling thirty miles farther, I 
came at the appointed time to Yorktown, on the 
17th, where I found Brother Reiger. We entered 
into a more particular conference with this congre- 
gation in regard to Mr. Lischy, and found to our 
joy that they begin to repose more confidence in 
him, and their afltection for him begins again to 
come to life. We spoke, perhaps, about two hours 
with Mr. Lischy npon the most important doc- 
trinal points ; and we could with a good conscience 
and with gratitude to God, give the congregation 
the strongest assurance, that we discovered nothing 

[' This was Mr. Schley, the ancestor of highly respectable 
families of that name in Frederick — the great-grand parent of 
the ^Yife of Rev. Dr. Schaff of Mercersburg:. —II. II.] 



178 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

erroneous in him, but that we were, in all points, 
abundantly satisfied; all of which awakened in 
the congregation, w^ith a few exceptions, a feeling 
of sincere delight. 

On the 18th, I asked Mr. Lischy publicly to 
preach on the words, Matth. xxii. 14, w^hich he 
also did, in the strength of the Lord, without 
having had much time for preparation, to our 
perfect satisfaction and to general edification. 
This was the first time that he preached publicly 
in the church since the first difiiculties; and, with 
the consent of the congregation, we decided that 
he might continue with the preaching of the word, 
without, as yet, administering the holy covenant 
seals until farther directions in regard to him 
should be received from Holland. This done, we 
left them our hearty blessing, and w^ent the same 
evening, twenty-five miles, to Lancaster, much 
rejoiced at the result. 

The 19th was Ascension Day, when, according 
to promise, I administered the Holy Supper to 265 
members. Having left this place, not without 
much blessing and deep emotions, I arrived safely 
at Philadelphia on the 20th, after having travelled 
a distance of sixty-three miles, where, with my 
beloved wife, to whom I w^as united in holy mar- 
riage in October of the past year, I gave thanks 
unto God for the grace which He had bestowed 
upon me, and for His support and protection 
during so long and w^earisome a journey. 



Section IX. ■ 
1748. 

Letter from Eev. Dorstius — Whitsuntide in German town and 
Philadelphia — visit to the churches in New Jersey — visit 
to Dorstius — churches in Northampton County — return to 
Philadelphia — arrival of Revs. Bartholomaeus and Ilochreu- 
tiner — letters from Holland — visits the interior with the 
newly-arrived ministers — Lancaster — Weiseichenland — Tul- 
pehocken — Oly — Falkner Schwam — Providence — return to 
Philadelphia — arrival of Rev. John Philip Leidich and his 
family from Holland — letters — visit from Rev. Boehm and 
an elder — second meeting of Synod and its acts — close of the 
Synod — Le^'dich installed by Boehm at Falkner Schwam — 
visit to the churches in New Jersey — return to Philadelphia 
— Schlatter's forebodings — sudden and melancholy death of 
Rev. Ilochreutiner — his funeral sermon — Bartholomaeus 
installed by Boehm in Tulpehocken — two Low Dutch stu- 
dents, Marinus and Du Bois — Lischy's statement of his 
faith — call from Egypt and Heidelberg — documents sent to 
Holland — close of the year 1748. 

On the 21st of May, I received a letter from the 
congregation of Rev. Dorstius, in Northampton, 
in Schameny, ^ which earnestly besought me for 
counsel and assistance. 

[* "Northampton in Schameny.'' By " Schameny" we must 
evidently understand Neshamuir/, a stream and valley in 
Bucks County. Northampton County was cut off from Bucks 
later, in 1752. Bucks County being indefinite in its northern 
limits previous to that time, the northern part of it was, no 
doubt, at that early day, called Northampton ; then the ex- 
pression will mean that Mr. Schlatter went into the Northamp 
ton region to the valley of Nesharainy. Northampton County 
cannot be intended, for it did not then exist. — II. II.] 

(179) 



180 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

The 29tli and 30th, being Whitsuntide, we cele- 
brated the Lord's Supper in Germantown with 
sixty-one and in Philadelphia with seventy-three 
members. 

From the 6th till the lltb of June, I made a 
journey to the three congregations in 'New Jersey, 
lying between Philadelphia and New York, which 
I now visited for the second time ; and when I had 
preached and administered the Holy Sacraments, 
as in ISTovember of the previous year, I returned 
again to my charge after I had travelled, in all, 
140 miles. 

On the 23d, I went to ^Northampton upon the 
earnest solicitations of the congregation, and 
preached for the Dutch congregation of Mr. Dors- 
tius, for the first time, as well as I could in their 
language. My efforts to abate the strife existing 
between the minister and congregation were fruit- 
less ; and, as Mr. Dorstius continues in his purpose 
to go over to Holland, I promised to visit them 
once a month to preach for them in the week, and 
then returned to Philadelphia after a journey 
thither and back of thirty-two miles. 

On the 14th of July, a day which was memorable 
to me on account of different important events, I 
received from Pev. Du Bois, of New York, the 
agreeable intelligence that two ministers, intended 
for the Pennsylvania churches, are on their journey 
hither, and that the Peverend Christian Synods 
have received safely my reports sent over last year. 
In the beginning of the month of August, upon 
the earnest solicitations of the elders and deacons 



Schlatter's appeal. 181 

of my Philadelphia congregations, I advanced 
them, in the way of loan, for the purpose of finish- 
ing their church, sixty pounds, or 406 Dutch guil- 
ders, out of the moneys which I received from J. 
Reif. 

On the 13th, the two ministers sent from IIol- > 
land, Eev. Bartholomaeus and Rev. John Jacob 
Hochreutiner, safely arrived, and were received by 
me with joyful gratitude to God, and entertained 
at my house. The letters w^hich they brought 
from the Reverend Christian Synods, from the 
Christian Classis of Amsterdam, and from the 
Reverends Hutmacher and Kulenkamp, were very 
encouraging and refreshing to me, and I commu- 
nicated them to Mr. Boehm, when, on the 17th, 
I visited him in company with these two Reverend 
brethren. I concluded, with the acquiescence of 
his Reverence, before the beginning of our annual 
Synod, to make a journey with these two new 
co-laborers to several congregations, in order to 
see which of the destitute congregations desired 
their services and needed them most. 

First of all, then, to accomplish this work, I 
went first with Rev. Bartholomaeus, on the 2d of 
September to Lancaster, where his Reverence 
preached on the 4th, in the morning, much to the 
satisfaction of all, and I preached in the afternoon. 
On the 5th and 6th, we went to Weiseichenland, 
and from thence to Tulpehocken, where he 
preached on the 7th. From here we continued 
our journey to Oly, and he preached on the 8th in 
Falkner Schwam. Here it was necessary for him, 
16 



182 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

weary from his long journey, already having 
travelled 138 miles, to remain awhile to rest him- 
self; still, he promised, on the following Lord's 
day, to attend to my services in Philadelphia and 
Germantown, while I, on the same day, returned 
thirty-five miles to Philadelphia. 

On the 10th, I went again to Lancaster, whither 
Mr. Ilochreutiner had already gone on the 8th, 
having been requested by me on the 10th to 
preach the preparatory sermon in that place, which 
also his Reverence did, much to the satisfaction 
a-nd edification of the people. Afterwards, on the 
11th, he and I administered the Holy Supper to 
150 communicants, whereupon, the brother, in the 
afternoon, preached the thanksgiving sermon to 
the great delight of the congregation. 

On the 12th, we went from thence to Tulpe- 
hocken, where, on the 13th, Mr. Ilochreutiner 
preached. On the same day, we went farther, to 
Oly, and his Reverence preached, on the 14th, at 
Falkner Schwam, and remained there, as he had 
been tired out, in order that he might, after having 
refreshed himself, preach at Providence on the 
18th, while I, in the meantime, returned in good 
health to Philadelphia, having, in this journey, 
passed over 173 miles. 

On the 15th, to my exceedingly great joy, there 
came to my house, healthy and happy. Rev. John 
Philip Leidich, with his wife and two children, 
having been sent over by the Reverend Christian 
Synod of South Holland, which was assembled in 
this year at BrieL His Reverence showed me his 



Schlatter's appeal. 183 

letters of appointment as minister in these regions, 
and handed over to me the letters which the Rev- 
erend Christian Deputies of the Synod had in- 
trusted to him, which convinced me anew of the 
continued zeal and faithful care which the Chris- 
tian Synods manifest for the good of the Pennsyl- 
vania churches, and furnished me with reasons for 
bowing my knees before God to present a heartfelt 
thank-offering betbre Him. 

On the 19th, Rev. Boehm, with an elder from 
his congregation in Falkner Schwam, came to visit 
me, and begged that Rev. Leidich might be ap- 
pointed as regular minister in the above-named 
place and in Providence ; because his Reverence, 
on account of his advanced age, is no more able 
to endure such wearisome journeys, as it is neces- 
sary to make, in order, properly, to serve this field. 
I promised him to do the best in my power to 
provide for their congregations. 

In the interval, before the beginning of our 
Synod, the three new^ly-arrived ministers preached 
at various times, as well in my own as in other 
cono-reirations, much to the satisfaction and edifi- 
fication of the people. 

On the 29th, the Synod, consisting of six minis- 
ters and twelve elders, was favorably commenced 
and harmoniously continued with solemn prayer 
and thanksgiving to God. 

On the 30th, the vocations or calls presented to 
me by the commissioned elders, were laid before 
the assembly and approved, and assigned severally 
to the three co-workers. Agreeably to these calls, 



184 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Eev. Hochreutiner was appointed to Lancaster; 
Eev. Bartholomaeus to Tulpehocken ; and Rev. 
Leydich to the congregations of Falkner Schwam 
and Providence. Furthermore, Rev. Reiger was 
appointed solemnly to instal the lirst, and Rev. 
Boehni the second and third, in their new congre- 
gations, after previous solemn representations of 
the duties devolving upon them, which these 
brethren also willingly took upon themselves to 
perform. All this was done not without much 
feeling and shedding of many burning tears, and 
with thanksgiving to God. 

The acts, as well of this, as also of the previous 
Synod, together with diiferent other writings. Rev. 
Boehra, who was President of the Assembly, before 
the end of the year sent to the Reverend Christian 
Synods. 

On the 2d of October, in the presence of the 
brethren, I administered the Holy Supper here to 
140 members. 

On the 5th, in the afternoon, the Assembly was 
closed with thanksgiving and prayer, and the 
brethren returned with joy, each one to his post, 
after the Synod had yet given permission to Rev. 
Lischy, according to the request of the congrega- 
tion, to administer the Holy Supper, till farther 
directions should be received from the Reverend 
Christian Synods. 

On the 9th, Rev. Leydich was installed by Rev. 
Boehm in Falkner Schwam. 

On the 10th, I travelled, forty miles, to Amwell, 
preached there in the afternoon, and, on the morn- 



Schlatter's appeal. 185 

ing of the 11th, I went, nineteen miles farther, to 
Rockaway, and in the afternoon to Foxhill to hold 
preparatory service, in which last place I adminis- 
tered the Holy Supper on the 12th, and, after the 
thanksgiving sermon, returned to Rockaway, ten 
miles from thence. Here, on the 13th, I adminis- 
tered the Lord's Supper, and, after the thanksgiv- 
ing sermon, on the same day I returned to Amwell, 
a distance of twenty miles. After I had adminis- 
tered the Lord's Supper in this congregation, and 
preached the thanksgiving sermon on the 14th, I 
went, the same afternoon, from thence, and, 
after having travelled forty miles, I arrived late in 
the evening in Philadelphia. I returned safe and 
well, and yet I felt oppressed with an uncommon 
anxiety of heart without knowing whence it origi- 
nated. 

What it was that lay so heavily on my heart I 
ascertained as soon as I entered my house. It was 
the unexpected, unfortunate accident, which, on 
that very morning, befel my excellent brother 
Hochreutiner in my house — an event which moved 
to sorrow so many congregations, and so deeply 
afflicted my own soul — by which he was deprived 
of his life just at the time when he was already 
prepared to start for Lancaster to enter upon his 
labors in that congregation. 

A gun which, when he was yet in the ship, he 
had loaded with a ball, which he now attempted 
to extract without having the necessary means to 
accomplish it, exploded in his hands, and pierced 
his body so that he lay dead in mv room when my 
16* 



186 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

wife and maid-servant came in to inform him that 
the elder with a horse was ready at the door to 
take him away ! The amazement and sorrow in 
the congregations, and especially in Lancaster? 
occasioned by this accident was so much the 
greater on account of the great love which all bore 
to him, and the expectations which his own con- 
gregation and others entertained ©f the services of 
such an excellent servant of Jesus Christ. The 
many tears shed by hundreds of persons who 
followed his remains when they were consigned to 
the earth, testified to this. His written sermon, 
which he had intended to preach as his introductory 
in Lancaster, and which was found in his pocket, 
I had printed, agreeably to the earnest solicitations 
of many, and it has been sent to the Reverend 
Christian Synods and also to others.^ 

On the 16th, the day on which Rev. Bartholo- 
maeus was installed in Tulpehocken by Rev. Boehm, 
I preached a funeral sermon on the early and 
melancholy death of Rev. Ilochreutiner, amid the 
streaming of many tears. 

On the 28th, two Low Dutch students, who 
studied in this country, named David Marinus and 
Jonathan Du Bois, inquired of me whether I would 
assist them in getting permission from the Reverend 
Christian Synod to present themselves for exami- 
nation to our Synod. This they desired, that if 
they should receive a regular call in the church 
they might then, here in this country, be placed in 

[^ Who will discover and bring to light this interesting 
relic? — II. II.] 



Schlatter's appeal. 187 

a position to accept of it. I promised to fulfil their 
wishes. 

On the 3d of l^ovember, I received the written 
confession of faith of Rev. J. Lischj, which I after- 
wards sent to Holland. On the 8th, I received a 
letter containing a properly made out call for a 
minister from the congregations called Egypt and 
Heidelberg. They desire to have a permanent 
minister, and obligate themselves for forty-two 
pounds, or 280 Dutch guilders, as salary. 

On the 16th of December, I placed in the hands 
of Mr. Boehm, because he was, at that time, 
Praeses Ministerii, many writings and copies, that 
the same might be carefully sent to the Reverend 
Christian Synods ; and yet up to this time, I have 
not been able to hear either there nor here what 
has become of those documents. Meanwhile, I am 
prepared to give all needed information in regard 
to their contents. 

On the 25th and 26th, I administered the Holy 
Supper in Philadelphia and Germantown. Thus 
has this year been safely passed, under the divine 
blessing, yet not without some bitter minglings of 
sorrow. 



Section X. 
1749-1750. 

Beginning of the year 1749 — Journey by way of Wilmington 
to Lancaster — vacancy at Lancaster — returns — letters from 
Magunchy and Egypt — calls from Virginia — church visita- 
tions — visits Zeltenrich — Lancaster — Tulpehocken to Rev. 
Bartholomaeus — visits Leydich — sudden death of Rev. 
Boehra — his funeral sermon — visit to the churches in New 
Jersey — summer labors — third Synod, at Lancaster — 
arrival of Rev. Steiner — adjourned meeting of Synod in 
Philadelphia — call to Steiner from Lancaster — Leydich — 
Steiner's conduct toward Schlatter — Beginning of 1750 — 
visit to New Jersey — church visitations — visits Witpen, 
Falkner Schwam, Oly, Tulpehocken, Lancaster — fourth 
Synod — special Synod — Schlatter commissioned to visit 
Europe — sails — safe arrival. 

On the 15tli of January, I went by way of Wil- 
mington to Lancaster, agreeably to the wishes of 
the congregation there, to counsel with the Elders 
and Deacons as to the way in which this congrega- 
tion now vacant might best be suj^plied, till a more 
favorable opportunity to procure a regular pastor 
might present itself. In this journey, going and 
returning, I travelled 145 miles. 

On the 26th and 27th, I administered the Lord's 
Supper in Germantown with ninety-six, and in 
Philadelphia with 130 members. 

On the 29th, I received letters from Magunchy 
and Egypt, with earnest solicitations that I might 
come over and visit them, and administer to them 

(188) 



Schlatter's appeal. 189 

the Holy Supper. On this occasion, Rev. Boehni, 
at my request, took it upon himself to attend to 
the wants of these remote congregations. 

On the 30th, various letters came to hand from 
different congregations, of like import ; also, a call 
from Virginia for a minister. 

From the 31st till the 8th of April, I made visits 
to various parts of the country in the way of church 
visitation, preaching and administering the Holy 
Sacraments ; and after travelling 119 miles, I 
returned well and happy to my home. 

On the 27th, I travelled 56 miles to the congre- 
gation Zeltenrich, which was formerly served by 
Eev. Reiger. On the 28th, I went twelve miles from 
thence to Lancaster, wrote down a list of the names 
of the members, and after I had preached, and 
administered the Holy Supper to 207 members, I 
left that place, and continued my journey to other 
congregations. 

On the 1st of May, I visited Rev. Bartholomaeus 
in Tulpehocken, a distance of twenty-eight miles; 
and besought him at his convenience to go over 
and preach in "Weiseichenland, at Modecreek, 
Cocalico and Zeltenrich, which his Reverence also 
promised to do. 

On the 2d, I visited Rev. Leydich in Falkner 
Schwam, a distance of forty-nine miles from thence. 
His Reverence had just the day before returned 
home from a visit to various congregations. On 
the way, I heard of the unexpected news of the 
sudden death of Rev. Boehm, which occurred in 
the house of his oldest sou, after his Reverence had 



190 LIFE AND LABORS OP SCHLATTER. 

yet on the previous day administered the Holy 
Supper in the Egypt congregation. Thus our 
small number of laborers in this great harvest was 
again made less by this stroke. I entreated Rev. 
Leydich in a friendly manner, in the beginning of 
the month of August to visit Lancaster, Modecreek, 
and other places, to edify the congregations. 

I had intended, at this time, also to visit Rev. 
"Weiss, but, on account of the death of Rev. Boehra, 
it was necessary for me to cut short my journey 
and return to Philadelphia, a distance of thirty- 
nine miles. 

On the 4th, I made copies of the writings pre- 
viously placed in the hands of Rev. Boehm, and 
sent them, by way of England, to the Reverend 
Christian Synods and the Reverend Classis of 
Amsterdam. 

On the 7th, I preached at Germantown, not 
without deep emotion, a funeral sermon on the 
death of Rev. Boehm, the oldest of the German 
Reformed ministers in this country, who, during 
the space of many years, had to serve various con- 
gregations, and whose memory is cherished as 
blessed by many. 

On the 13th and 14th, we celebrated the Holy 
Supper in Philadelphia with 102 and in German- 
town with fifty-five communicants. 

From the 22d till the 27th, I again made the 
usual journey to the congregations in the Raritans, 
or New Jersey ; and, after I had preached in each 
of them and administered the Holy Sacraments, I 



Schlatter's appeal. 101 

returned, strengthened, to my post, having travelled, 
in going and coming, 138 miles. 

From this time on to the month of September, 
nothing specially worthy of note transpired; still, 
I did not spend my time uselessly, as I can show, 
from my Diary, to any one who may wish to 
inquire. 

As our annual Synod was this year to be held 
at Lancaster, I went thither on the 25th of Sep- 
tember. After the Reverend Assembly had been 
opened on the 27th with a well-arranged and edi- 
fying sermon by Rev. Leydich, the Reverend 
Brotherhood learned with much joy that Rev. 
Steiner, sent in by the Reverend Christian Depu- 
ties of the S^'nods, had arrived in good health, on 
the 2oth, in Philadelphia. We resolved, on this 
account, for the present, to stop short our meeting 
of counsel, because we did not know what kind of 
orders his Reverence had brought from Holland. 
We appointed, however, our approaching meeting 
to be held on the 20th of October in my house in 
Philadelphia. 

The congregation at Lancaster, earnestly en- 
treated, if it were possible, that this newly-arrived 
minister might be sent to them, and to this end 
they gave me authority to call him to be their 
regular pastor and teacher. 

When I returned to Philadelphia on the 29th, I 
found Rev. Steiner there, and welcomed him in 
the most friendly and fraternal manner. After the 
testimonials of his appointment by the Reverend 
Christian Deputies of the Synods had been read 



192 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

and found correct, I placed in the hands of his 
Eeverence, on the 1st of October, a call from the 
congregation at Lancaster, who desired to have 
him as their pastor, properly made out and signed. 

On the 20th of October, Rev. Reiger opened our 
Synod, again assembled, with an excellent, instruc- 
tive sermon. Rev. Bartholomaeus sent word by 
the elder of his church, that, on account of indis- 
position, he could not be present, prayed therefore 
to be excused by the Assembly. Also Rev. Steiner, 
at this time, was confined to bed by sickness, yet 
through an elder of my congregation he sent in 
his testimonials. This Synod consisted of five 
ministers, besides the two Low Dutch students 
before referred to, and sixteen elders, all of which 
were provided with proper testimonials of authority. 
This Assembly ended on the 24th with hearty 
thanksgivings to God for the brotherly love and 
unity of sentiment which reigned and ruled in it, 
and each one returned w^ell pleased to his field of 
labor. That which was brought before this Synod 
and was acted upon may be more fully seen in the 
minutes. 

On the 16th of E'ovember, with the approval of 
the whole Brotherhood, I gave Rev. Leydich the 
sum of fifteen pounds, or 100 Dutch guilders, from 
the money which I received of J. Reif, because his 
congregations failed to make up the salary pro- 
mised him, and he complained that he could not 
get along with what he received. The further 
account of the moneys of Mr. Reif I have laid 
before the Reverend Deputies, and am prepared 



Schlatter's appeal. 193 

still farther publicly to present the same for exami- 
nation. 

Many unpleasant and painful particulars per- 
taining to my congregations, which transpired in 
the remainder of this and during the following 
year, through the interposition of Rev. Stein er, I 
will not bring out in this printed statement. The 
matter is known to the Eeverend Christian Depu- 
ties of the Synods, and, I doubt not, they will give 
the necessary information in regard to it to your 
Reverend Assembly. In the same manner, as I 
do not complain on account of wrong suffered, 
because, as a Christian, I have learned to forbear, 
so also do I desire no return or satisfaction, but 
only pray that the Reverend Assembly may so 
arrange everything that peace and edification may 
be advanced among us. 

These unpleasant circumstances, as they made 
it necessary for me to be near at hand and in my 
congregations, hindered me from making long 
journeys into the country to visit and edify the 
remote congregations. 

!N"evertheless, in June, 1750, I spent seven days 
in a journey to the congregations in the Raritans 
in I^ew Jersey, to comfort tHem by the preaching 
of the word and the administration of the Sacra- 
ments. 

In the month of August, I made church visita- 
tions from the 20th to the 25th, in order, once 
more, carefully to inquire into the condition of the 
congregations in the country, so that I might be 
able to give all necessary information in regard to 
17 



194 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

them at the approaching Synod, and that I might, 
in a more satisfactory^ manner, inform the Reve- 
rend Christian Synods. After travelling 197 miles, 
I returned again to my home. 

In ^N'ovember, I felt myself constrained to under- 
take another journey, on account of letters which 
I had received, as well from Rev. Bartholomaeus 
of Tulpehocken — who entreated me to come over 
to him, inasmuch as his congregation desired to 
speak with me about matters that pertain to its 
interests — as also from the very Reverend Hud- 
macherofHoUand, containing matters of importance. 
Accordingly, on the 1st, I travelled sixteen miles 
from here to "VYitpen, — a congregation which I 
am accustomed to visit once a month since the 
death of Rev. Boehm — where, on this visit, I 
administered the Holy Supper to thirty-six members. 
After the thanksgiving sermon, I went twenty-three 
miles farther to Falkner Schwam to visit Rev. 
Leydich ; and, on the 2d, went with him to the 
Rev. "Weiss, eight miles from thence. After we 
had mutually concluded to hold our usual Synod 
at Philadelphia on the 16th of this month, and 
Rev. Leydich had consented to preach in my place 
in my congregations on the next Lord's Day, I 
continued on the same day yet forty-six miles 
farther to the so-called flying mountains in Oly,^ 
which are so called on account of the multitude of 
wild Indian chickens^ which abound there. 

[^ "Nach den go genanten fliegendin Bergen in Oly." — H. H.] 

P Prairie-hens, which still abound in the western prairies, and 

were abundant at an early day along the south side of the 



Schlatter's appeal. 195 

On the 3d, I arrived at Talpehocken ; having 
made the journey not without great danger, on 
account of the wintry weather and the overflowing 
of streams ; safely arrived, I gave thanks to God 
for His kind protection and dehverance. 

On the 4th, I assisted Kev. Bartholomaeus in 
administering the Holy Supper, not without visible 
evidences of blessing. After I had spoken with 
the congregation on some matters, made all neces- 
sary arrangements, and received the promise from 
Rev. Bartholomaeus that he would be present at 
our meeting of Synod at the appointed time, if 
his precarious state of health would at all admit 
of it, I left for Lancaster, twenty-eight miles dis- 
tant. Here I preached on the 6th, and invited 
Eev. Eeiger to attend our Synod, which his Rever- 
ence also promised to do. As I yet preached at 
three other places, and travelled a distance of 
ninetj'-two miles, I did not reach Philadelphia 
before the 10th. I had not the opportunity, on 
this journey, of speaking with Mr. Lischy, because 
he, at my solicitation, has gone to visit the congre- 
gations in Virginia. 

On the 16th, our Christian Synod was opened in 
the usual way. I am prepared to present to the 
Reverend Christian S^-nods an account, so far as it 
is necessary, of the proceedings of this assembly. 

On the loth of December, there was an extra- 
ordinary Synod held at Philadelphia, in which it 

Blue mountains. See Life of Rev. Stoy in the author's " Lives 
of the Fathers of the German Reformed Church in Europe and 
America." — II. II.] 



19G LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was iiiianimously resolved, that inasmuch as many 
of the letters and writings which we had sent over 
had been lost, and we were getting ever more and 
more into embarrassment, I should be sent over to 
Holland, by speaking and writing, to lay before 
the Eeverend Christian Synods the condition of 
the Church in Pennsylvania, and humbly and 
impressively to implore effectual help and support. 
Three of our ministerial brethren engaged to take 
each his turn in attending to my duties in Phila- 
delphia during my absence, to the best of their 
ability, without respect to the trouble of travelling 
so great a distance. 

After I had been provided with the necessary 
instructions and other writings, and on the 25th 
of December had administered the Holy Commu- 
nion to 109 members in Philadelphia, and in all 
other respects as far as possible made the necessary 
arrangements, having commended myself to the 
Fatherly protection of that God, whose help and 
deliverance I had often experienced, I went on 
boai^d the ship at E'ew Castle on the 5th of 
February. On the 11th of March, we entered the 
Port of Dartmouth. From there, I continued my 
journey by land, arrived on the 13th at Exeter, 
and on the 15th at Bristol ; and on the 22d, by the 
grace of God, I arrived in good health in London, 
after a journey by land of 200 miles. I left London 
on the 31st, and on the 12th of April, arrived 
safely at Helvoetsluys, thanking God with heart 
and lips, who had led me and brought me thus far, 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 197 

praying fervently that he would prosper my labors 
in this favored land, and grant that the destitute 
and needy congregations in Pennsylvania might 
find favor and mercy in the presence of the Rev- 
erend Christian Synods. 

From that time on, till now, I have had the 
fortune in various conferences, as well with the 
Reverend Deputies of both Synods as with the 
Reverend Deputies of the Classis of Amsterdam, 
to open the subject of my mission, and present 
my Testimonials and Documents for a careful 
examination, in full assurance that the Reverend 
Deputies will present minute and correct informa- 
tion to their constituents. In the meantime, I 
submit myself in all humiUty to the judgment 
and counsel of the honorable church assembly. 



17 



THE RELIGIOUS DESTITUTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND 
NEIGHBORING PROVINCES. 



Having now presented a brief account of my 
labors in this countr}-, in accordance with the com- 
mission intrusted to me, and also given some 
account of the state of things as I found them in 
the congregations, I beg permission still further to 
bring to the view of the Reverend Christian 
Synods a brief representation of the true condition 
of Pennsylvania and the neighboriug Provinces, 
and of the large Reformed congregations which 
exist there mostly without pastors, hoping, in this 
way, to press my humble appeal for effectual help 
and support. 

Permit me, first of all, to refer, in a few words, 
to the country itself and its inhabitants. Pennsyl- 
vania, lying in the northern part of America, is a 
country of no small compass. It lies in a healthy 
climate ; it is not merely inhabitable, but very 
much inhabited, not only by the ancient dwellers 
in the land, but also by thousands who have emi- 
grated thither from Europe and still arrive every 
year. It extends toward the North to the five 
--largest inland seas known in the world, along the 
course of which it is not difficult to reach the cele- 
brated Mississippi river, down which one can sail 
to the Gulf of Mexico. 

(198) 



Schlatter's appeal. 199 

What concerns the ancient race of pagan inhabi- 
tants of this land, they are in many respects 
different from all other people in the other parts 
of the world. It is no part of my design at present 
to inquire after and search out when, from whence, 
and how they came hither, as it is my purpose only 
to report what I have seen of them with my own 
eyes. Their color is of a brown red, and may be 
likened to red copper. Their heads only are 
covered with long black hair hanging very straight ; 
and they have a smooth chin without a beard. 
They have a language of their own, different from 
all other languages, which some regard as an 
original fundamental language ; it is not impossible 
to learn it, as there are some who have made them- 
selves acquainted with it. 

The Six Nations, which stand in covenant with 
England, in various circumstances, give conclusive 
evidence that they do not lack in understanding 
and judgment; and by their cautious and consider- 
ate conduct show themselves to be cunning and 
sharp-sighted : they are, therefore, not incapable of 
instruction, and of being led from their present 
fearful idolatry to the true service of God, if only 
the necessary means are brought to bear, and God 
should be pleased to bless the effort. They live 
with one another in quiet and peace, and are after 
their own way upright, and hate nothing more 
than lying and dishonesty. Of this. Count Zinzen- 
dorf, according to the testimony of reliable wit- 
nesses, has had experience, nearly to the loss of 
his life. 



200 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

In war they are brave, unwearied, crafty, and 
revengeful ; but when they lie at home, they are 
sluggish, lazy, and very careless; nevertheless, 
when they are made drunken, they are wild, noisy, 
and ungovernable. The women are modest, 
friendly, very submissive and obedient to the men, 
nearly in a slavish way. The men of some age, 
and especially the very aged, are their judges ; and 
the sayings of these have nearly the force of law, 
since neither books nor writings are known among 
them. 

They are a free nation, and very fond of their 
freedom ; and they would not readily suffer them- 
selves to be brought under the yoke of servitude. 
To preserve their freedom unmolested, they have, 
from time to time, withdrawn themselves still 
farther back in proportion as the European settlers 
have taken possession of the land, that they 
might live alone and for themselves. They would 
rather give up their lands to the whites than to 
live in the midst of them, and run the risk of 
losing their freedom, which they regard as their 
most precious boon; scarcely also can a true 
aboriginal be found who is a slave to a white 
stranger. 

Since the time when the English have taken 
possession of Pennsylvania, and the country has 
been peopled from various European nations, it has 
been divided into nine Cantons, there called 
Counties. The most important towns, as they 
have been built successively, are : 



Schlatter's appeal. 201 

1. Philadelphia, consisting at present of 2,300 
houses, mostly of stone. 

2. New Castle, consisting at present of 240 
houses, mostly of stone, and lying from Philadel- 
phia distant forty miles. 

3. Chester, consisting of 120 houses, lying ten 
miles distant from 'New Castle. 

4. Germantown, consisting of 250 houses, lying 
six miles from Chester. 

5. Lancaster, consisting of 500 houses, lying 
from Germantown sixty-three miles. 

6. York, consisting of 190 houses, lying from 
Lancaster twenty -three miles. 

7. Heading, lately built, consisting of sixty houses, 
lying sixty miles from York. 

In the whole of Pennsylvania, according to 
estimation, there are 190,000 souls, in which the 
pagan inhabitants are not included. Of these, it 
is estimated 90,000 are Germans ; and of these 
about one-third, namely, upwards of 30,000, are of 
the Reformed faith. These are scattered throuo'h 
all the Cantons or Counties ; still they have more 
especially settled down in the Counties of Phila- 
delphia, Bucks, Lancaster, York, and Chester. 
They are all free and undisturbed in the worship 
of God ; and are safely protected under the 
Government of the excellent Proprietory, and the 
Governor, and other Pulers, so that none of the 
other various parties dare in an unrighteous manner 
disturb their religious exercises, or injure them in 
their persons or rightful possessions. Still, as those 
who are without she23herds and leaders in the ser 



202 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

vice of God, they cannot expect much help and 
comfort from those who, in matters of rehgion, 
differ more or less from them. In consequence of 
this, many, unless they are willing to remain 
deprived of all legitimate exercises of the Reformed 
divine service for themselves and their children, 
and unless they are willing that their children shall 
grow up like wild sheep and heathen in a heathen 
land — many must go and seek pasture and food 
for their souls wherever they can iind it, and receive 
it such as it is. Thus they frequently fall into the 
hands of deceivers, who do not only sell them 
chaff' for grain, but even of such as will ruin their 
souls, and those of their innocent children, by 
feeding them their sugared poison, unless God will 
graciously prevent it and protect them. Of this 
class, there are many among the German sectaries. 
In order that the Reverend Christian Synods, 
and all those to whom this present writing shall 
come, may be able to form a correct idea of the 
condition of the congregations in Pennsylvania, I 
will merely mention in order the congregations 
which I there found and visited, and state how 
these are served by ministers, or might be served 
in case they are united as I propose, even though 
many of these lie many miles apart, and could be 
visited by the minister only once in two weeks or 
once a month. I will also mention which of these 
are already provided with a minister, and which ones 
have hitherto not been so fortunate as to obtain 
one, while, meantime, they are longing and waiting 
for faithful guides and pastors with a most ardent 
desire. 



Schlatter's appeal. 203 

1. The first charge is Philadelphia and German- 
town. This has been served by myself since 1747. 

2. Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp. These are 
served since 1746 by Rev. George Michael Weiss. 

3. The con2:ref>:ations of Falkner Schwam and 
Providence. Here Rev. John Philip Leidich is 
located since 1748. 

4. Skippach, Witpen, Indian Creek, and To- 
hicken. These are, as yet, without a minister. 

5. Lancaster and Schaffer's church. The first 
of these is still vacant, and the second is served by 
Rev. John Bartholomaeus Rieger, M. D. 

6. Yorktown, Kreutz Creek, Conewago, and 
Bermndian. In these Rev. Jacob Lischy is labor- 
ing with success since 1749. 

7. Tulpehocken. Here Rev. Dominicus Bar- 
tholomaeus is laboring in the holy service since 
1748. lie is most of the time sick. 

8. Weiseichenland, Modecreek, Cocalico, and 
Zeltenrich. These are looking out for a minister 
with burning desire. 

9. Donegal, Swatara, and Quitopehilla. These 
also implore earnestly for a minister. 

10. The charge in Northampton and Southamp- 
ton. Here Rev. Du Bois, a Low Dutch Proiyonent^ 
preaches, meantime, in the way of supply since 
1751. 

11. Great Lehigh, Little Lehigh, Forks of Dela- 
ware, Saccony, and Springfield. These are with- 
out a shepherd. 

12. Heidelberg, Egypt, and Jordan. These are 
without a regular minister. 



204: LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

13. Magunchy, Allemangel, Schmaltzgass, and 
Manatawny. These also long most ardently for a 
faithful guide. 

All these are congregations in Pennsylvania. 
To these must yet be added the congregations in 
Virginia, Maryland, and "New Jersey. 

14. The charge in Virginia consists of Shenan- 
doah, Misanotti, South Branch, and ITew Ger- 
mantown. These all have, for many years, had 
no regular minister. They are the most remote 
congregations, and languish from longing for 
spiritual food. 

15. The congregations in Marj^land are Mono- 
cacy and Conogocheague. Here also there is great 
hunger for the word of God, and there is no one 
regularly to provide it for them. 

16. The congregations in ISTew Jersey are 
Eockaway and Foxhill. These implore earnestly 
that God ma}^, at length, send forth a faithful 
laborer into this harvest. 

Thus there are here, in all, forty-six congrega- 
tions which I have visited ; and, besides these, 
there are yet different others in Oly and other 
places which are not included in this list. Those 
enumerated I have united into sixteen large 
charges, which are, in themselves, very laborious. 
Among these, there are thirty-two wdiich are, as 
yet, entirely destitute of the regular ministratioDs 
of the w^ord and the Sacrament, and are only 
attended to when one of the few ministers in the 
countrj^, by neglecting his own congregations, 
visits them once or twice a year by a tedious jour- 



Schlatter's appeal. 205 

ney. Two congregations are supplied with the 
word only by a Proponent^ and only twelve are 
served by five regular ministers, and these only 
successively at best once on each Lord's day, and 
different ones barely once a month. 

"What makes the condition of these congrega- 
tions the more deplorable and worthy of our sym- 
pathy, is that most of them are not even provided 
with a good schoolmaster. Few, even of such as 
are found qualified, can be prevailed upon to labor 
in this work, because the poor people are not able 
to contribute enough to enable a schoolmaster, 
who devotes his whole time to his calling, to sup- 
port himself and family even with the greatest 
care and economy. Thus, it is easy to see that 
children, deprived of all instruction, and having 
only a corrupt nature for their guide, must grow 
up as wild shoots — yea, I will leave any, who 
heartily and in silence meditate on this matter, 
and who know the true value of immortal souls, 
to judge whether in this way, even such as are 
called Christians and bear the name of Reformed, 
are not in danger of falling back and being cor- 
rupted into a new heathenism, and thus become 
like the original pagan aborigines of the country, 
if not even worse. 

The heart of one, otherwise careless and insensi- 
ble, would break could he hear the pitiful lamen- 
tations and see the burning tears — as I have often 
heard and seen till they pierced my very soul — of 
such as look at this evil in a deeper and more con- 
siderate way. Such, on the one hand, deplore 
18 



206 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

their own condition as being in a land dry and 
drear, where they find no pastures nor food for 
their own souls, since the fewest number are pro- 
vided with Bibles ; and, on the other hand, they 
lament over the still worse condition of hosts of 
others who are without food, and, in consequence, 
become more careless and hardened from time to 
time, because there is no one to reprove, exhort, 
convince, and arouse them from their sinful ease — 
none to cry : What has happened unto you, ye 
slumberers ? Awake, ye that sleep ! Ely for your 
life ! But, most lamentable of all, is the condition 
of tender children, who, without instruction or 
care, grow up as for hell, and become a prey of 
Satan and his seducing apostles. Yet these, should 
their condition find sympathy with those who have 
it in their power to send the means, might, through 
the co-workings of God's grace, be delivered from 
the snares of the devil, and set free. 

Through my pen this sighing of the needy, this 
cry for help from the destitute, pastorless congre- 
gations of Pennsylvania, comes to your ears, Rev- 
erend Christian Fathers, who are now solemnly 
assembled in this ecclesiastical Synod. It comes 
to the ears of all who love Zion, and are grieved 
for the afiiiction of Joseph, wherever these pages 
may come before their ej^es. The general cry of 
so many thousands which now sounds into your 
ears is not : Come over and help us ; but it is : 
Open your hearts in acts of love and beneficence, 
in order that such may come over to us who are 
willins: to come but have not the means. There 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 207 

are, no doubt, such as ask no great help, no large 
support ; provide, that such may come over to go 
before us with the rod and staff of the word, and 
watch and care for our souls and the souls of our 
children. 

Methinks you, Reverend Fathers, will ask me : 
By what means and in what way may we help 
these poor and needy brethren ? I answer, in their 
name. You can help them by sending over able 
and pious ministers and schoolmasters, good books, 
and addressing earnest intercessions to God for His 
grace and blessing. 

I hope you. Reverend Fathers, will not think 
that this request is far too great, and includes too 
much to be realized ; that the wounds are too widely 
open to be healed. Permit me, venerable Fathers, 
humbly to state that, although the condition of 
the Pennsylvania churches is very deplorable, yet 
it is not beyond hope or the reach of help. It is 
within the power of the Christian Synods in the 
blessed Netherlands and of some of its citizens, 
whom God has richly blest with temporal goods, 
if God shall be pleased to incline their hearts 
thereto, if not to restore all that is lost, yet, in a 
marked degree, to build up and support what is in 
danger. 

I have already reported that the majority of the 
charges, as I have proposed to form them, are able 
and willing to contribute nearly 200 guilders, 
and some still more, to the support of a regular 
minister. In regard to the three charges outside 
of Pennsylvania, as they are able, each one, to 



208 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

provide properly for the support of a minister, so 
they are also willing with great cheerfulness to do 
it. Meanwhile, the case is such in Pennsylvania, 
that a minister, especially if he has a family, 
cannot get along with less than 430 guilders. 

The schoolmasters, in most places, cannot pos- 
sibly live on the income of their schools, and hence 
forsake the work to earn their bread by the labor 
of their hands. There are many poor families 
who have not the means to purchase Bibles and 
Catechisms for themselves and their children. 
Should the same liberality of the Church Assem- 
blies of the Netherlands, and citizens blest of God, 
which so many thousand others have already ex- 
perienced, be extended toward the churches of 
Pennsjdvania, so that annually something should 
be contributed toward their relief, the desired end 
would be attained. 



AN EARNEST PLEA FOR RELIEF. 

I NEED not suggest to you. Reverend Fathers, 
the means by which this could be accomplished. 
They are better known to you than to me. I only 
ask permission most humbly to lay at your feet m}^ 
earnest petitions, which are also the hearty prayers 
of the shepherdless congregations in Pennsylvania, 
which call to you, Reverend Fathers, for help and 
support. They are these : 

I. First, I must humbly ask that the Pennsylva- 
nia churches may enjoy the favor of being placed 
upon the list and among the number of needy 



SCHLATTER'S APPEAL. 209 

churches, that, no less than these, they may 
annually be supported and refreshed by the friendly 
gifts of these and other Reverend Christian Synods. 
If these poor congregations, whose number is 
greater than that of any other needy churches, 
should be so favored as to enjoy this desired ad- 
vantage, which I earnestly hope may be done, 
then the aggregate of the collected gifts could be 
transferred to Philadelphia, and made over into 
the hands of Coetus, and by them divided and 
applied to such points as have most pressing need. 
The Coetus w^ould annually be in duty bound 
gratefully to acknowledge the same, and report to 
the Synods a particular account of the manner in 
which the moneys were applied, and, in all things, 
submissively and respectfully to observe the direc- 
tions of the Reverend Assemblies. 

II. In order that the whole weight and respon- 
sibility of providing for these suifering Pennsylva- 
nia churches may not rest alone upon the shoulders 
of the Christian Synodical Assembly, I would most 
submissively suggest, whether it might not please 
the Reverend Assembly to instruct the Reverend 
Deputies of the Synods to bring the needy condi- 
tion of these churches in a most touching and true 
manner before the Most Honorable Civil Authori- 
ties of this Province, and to the attention of His 
Majesty, the Stadtholder of the United Provinces; 
or, wherever farther it might be proper, to see 
whether from this source also something might be 
obtained for these helpless ones — at least, earnestly 
to entreat that permission may be granted, if not 
18* 



210 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

to take up a public collection, yet, at least, that 
citizens, whom God has blest with means, might 
be free, when the true state of these churches may 
come before them, and God should incline their 
hearts, out of their superfluous abundance, to 
bestow of their gifts for the relief of those needy, 
longing churches, who long not after earthly good, 
but for pastors, who may serve them in spiritual 
food. I do not ask that permission be granted 
me to collect in the respective towns, but, only 
that means may be devised to make known the 
wants of these congregations to benevolent men 
of means ; and that they be informed in what way 
they may place their free-will oflerings in safe 
hands. I beg most earnestly that of all such 
money, not even the smallest portion may be 
placed in my hands, or committed to my care and 
commission ; but that the sum which shall grow 
out of such free gifts, be it small or large, may be 
kept together and placed in the faithful hands of 
the Reverend Deputies of the Synods, that, with 
the consent of those who have a ris^ht to decide in 
the matter, not the capital itself, but only the fruits 
or interest, may be applied to the relief of the 
needy. 

III. Still, not with money alone can the poor 
and needy people, sighing after the ministrations 
of the Word and Sacrament, be helped and re- 
deemed. Laborers are wanting in this great 
harvest. The few that are here are scarcely able, 
much as they may be willing and anxious, even in 
rotation, to serve one-half of the congregations, 



Schlatter's appeal. 211 

and this not without the greatest labor. It is not 
enough to send laborers thither who are not wanted 
in other places. My Reverend Fathers, if any- 
where, then in Pennsylvania men are needed of 
tried piety, correct views and lovers of peace, such 
as are fully inclined to submit themselves in all 
things to the Church discipline and formular of 
unity of the Netherlands, as also to the Synod 
there, even as that is subject to these Reverend 
Christian Synods, to all of which they must 
solemnly bind themselves before they are sent 
thither. Those that seek their own comfort, or 
serve principally for bread, will not find their 
proper place in Pennsylvania. There men are 
needed in the prime of their lives ; inured to toil ; 
that both love to labor and have strength for it ; 
and, with all this, must be patient and forbearing ; 
to treat the weak with tenderness ; and show long 
suffering and sympathy toward those who oppose 
themselves, that they may win such and bring 
them into the right way. 

To find such, it appears to me — submitting, how- 
ever, to the better judgment of your Reverences — 
it would be a good plan to send some one to the 
Palatinate, and to Switzerland, and to other places 
in Germany, not only to seek out such men as 
have everywhere a good testimony in regard to 
the purity of their views and correct deportment, 
but also to present, in an impressive manner, the 
needy condition of the churches in Pennsylvania 
in those countries, especially in the Reformed 
Swiss Cantons, and to implore for aid. 



212 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Much as my heart returns in ardent longings to 
my congregations and my beloved helpmeet, yet I 
have, in the fear of God, so entirely devoted myself 
to the service of the churches in Pennsylvania, 
that I could not and would not shrink from under- 
taking that journey should the Reverend Christian 
Synods think it necessary and of service ; and, re- 
garding my humble self as suitable to the work, 
should place me in a situation to undertake it, and 
furnish me with the necessary instructions and 
testimonials. I encourage myself with the hope — 
yea, I have the firmest confidence in God, who will 
not leave unheard and unanswered the hearty 
prayers of so many thousands that call to him 
without ceasing, for spiritual food — that such a 
journey would not be without great blessing, and 
that, even though I should not be able to return 
with an adequate number of Nazarines, who have 
given their souls to the service of God and His 
Church, yet the way might thus be opened, by 
which, from time to time, ministers might be seat 
thither. 

These, Reverend Fathers ! are my humble views 
and sincere petitions, which, in the name of so 
many destitute congregations, which, for want of 
spiritual nourishment, languish and perish in a 
strange land, I, in the deepest humility, lay at your 
feet. I cannot prevail upon myself to believe that 
your Reverences, and the blessed inhabitants of 
the JSTetherlands, will shut their ears to the cry of 
so many needy, and close their hearts and hands 
against those who are not only their fellow-beings. 



Schlatter's appeal. 213 

but their brethren in the faith, among -whom are 
many who are truly pious, who now, so to speak, 
aU^eacly waver if not to destroy themselves, at least 
to yield themselves a prey to seducing spirits, if 
you should withdraw yourselves from them. 

My intercession is not for a handful of people, 
for one or another poor family, for a little flock 
that has fled from popery, but for more than 30,000 
of the Reformed household of faith, living in the 
land of their pilgrimage, in a land that is large 
and wide spread, yea, fully twice as large as the 
United Netherlands. They are not concerned for 
gifts of love to be applied to the support of their 
lives and their temporal existence, — even though 
in this the want with many is great enough, — but 
such as shall be applied in the best possible manner, 
to procure means for the preservation of their 
immortal spirits, and those of their tender pledges, 
their children. If this help is not extended, and 
hearts and hands are closed against them, they and 
their children destitute of the means of grace, 
without the counsel of those who instruct, direct, 
exhort, edify, and comfort them, they must in time 
sink into pagan blindness and fearful ruin. But 
should they be supported by your gifts of love, and 
provided with faithful teachers and pastors, they 
will, under God's effectual blessing, be brought to 
a sanctifying knowledge, and to the service and 
praise of the blessed God. Should not the well- 
being and deliverance of so many thousand souls. 
Reverend Fathers, appeal to your hearts ? Should 
not they whom God has blessed, set apart some of 



214 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

their temporal goods, in order that they may .end 
to the Lord, and contribute to the benefit and 
salvation of souls that have been created for 
immortality ! 

I plead for the few ministers who are now in 
this country, and for those who may yet be able to 
come to their brethren and fellow-laborers, even 
though they are situated in a fruitful part of God's 
vineyard, upon this rich eminence. I trust that 
your brotherly hearts will be filled with inward 
sympathy for your fellow servants, who with their 
whole heart employ all the powers of their bodies 
and souls, that they may only be honored as instru- 
ments in the hand of God, to win souls and spread 
the kingdom of Jesus in the regions of the 'New 
World. They cheerfully set aside personal gain 
and advantage ; they seek not to heap up treasures, 
let not your brotherly love permit them to languish 
under their heavy labor, for want of fellow-laborers, 
nor be hindered by want of necessary support, and 
wear away under anxious cares for this bodily life, 
yea, be compelled to waste their precious time in 
digging and ploughing the fields which they desire 
to spend in the vineyard of the Lord. 

I know the work of the holy ofiice is everywhere 
a heavy work, demanding all our energies; yet 
you, Heverend Fathers, will be able easily to per- 
ceive that, in that land, the burden cannot press 
less heavily where the care of so many helpless 
congregations falls upon so few laborers, who, 
besides the labor of ministering itself, must often 
spend whole days and nights in travelling from 



Schlatter's appeal. 215 

place to place, not in ships or carriages, but either 
on foot or on horseback. 

I reject with disgust all ill-odored self-praise ; and 
I cannot glory save in my infirmities ; but if it may 
serve to the awakening of others who may be able 
to come to our aid, I will, in all lowliness, and to 
the praise of that God, who supported me, and 
gave me the will and the power to labor, say that 
from the year 1747 till the beginning of the year 
1751, I have travelled in this part of America, in 
the service of the lost sheep, to collect them to- 
gether, to bring them in order, and edify them, a 
distance of more than 8,000 English miles — not 
reckoning my passage across the ocean — and this 
for the most part on my own horse, by day and by 
night, without respect to heat or cold, which is 
often alike severe in this country ; yea, without 
avoiding danger, as not counting my life dear unto 
myself. What I have recorded in the preceding 
report, comprehends only part of my journeys. In 
my more extensive daily register,^ my other travels 
are described. Amid all this travelling about, I 
preached 635 times ; and through all these labors 
God has spared my health and strength, and has 
not sufiered my desire and zeal to serve the 
churches to be extinguished, but rather to be 
increased. For when it was considered to be of 
the greatest importance that a minister should be 
sent over to make a representation of the state of 

* Where is this precious document? Was it burnt by the 
British soldiers, who rifled his house, and burnt his papers, in 
the Revolutionary war ? — H. H. 



216 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

these churches to the Christian Synods of the 
ISTetherlands, and this commission was laid upon 
me again, I could and would not refuse, that in 
this way also I might serve them and the congre- 
gations. 

I was willing, because it was judged to be 
for the benefit of all the Pennsylvania churches, 
for a while to leave my worthy and much beloved 
Philadelphia charge, while three of my fellow- 
laborers, meantime, undertook to attend to it. I 
bid adieu to the most precious treasure which I 
possess in this world, my dearly beloved wife, at 
the same time in a condition of great delicacy and 
anxiety, committing her to the care of our heavenly 
Father, and have denied myself of that joy, which 
in other circumstances, it would seem impossible 
to do. Yes, my person and my life, I have again 
exposed to those perils, out of which God, by his 
wonderful hand delivered me in my first voyage 
thither. 

'No temporal advantage moved me to this ; for 
none of all those congregations provided for my 
fare and expenses. Thus far, God has sustained 
me in a way which calls for praise to His name. 
The strong reasons that urged me on to come 
hither, were the disinterested love I bear to these 
congregations, the deep sympathy I feel for them, 
yea, the strong hope which I have, that God will 
arise and have mercy ujjon Zion in Pennsylvania^ 
because I clearly see that the time to favor her, yea, 
the set time, is come, seeing that now, more than 
ever, the servants of God take pleasure in her stones. 



Schlatter's appeal. 217 

and favor the dust thereof ! This has induced me 
to come hither, and imploringly to ask help from 
the Eeverend Fathers, and from all who pray for 
the peace of Jerusalem. 

Excuse me, Reverend Fathers and Brethren ! 
that I have spoken so much of myself and of my 
doings. It has not been done, believe me, in 
order that I might boast; but by such a public 
representation of the labors of your own brethren, 
still more to influence your brotherly hearts in 
fraternal love, and sympathetic mercy, and to 
awaken you, Eeverend Fathers, in the most friendly 
manner, according to your ability, to come to the 
assistance of your fellow-laborers, and to cause 
that such as can help them, shoulder to shoulder, 
to bear the great weight under which they must 
otherwise sink, may soon be sent to them. 

It is not only the more aged, as well leaders as 
congregations, that call for help and support ; but 
also many thousand innocent children and youth, 
who, with stammering lips, through m}' pen, cry 
to you, venerable Fathers, and to all who know 
what precious pledges children are ! They cry : 
have compassion upoji our tender, hut undying spirits, 
that they become not a prey of Satan ! I beg you, 
Reverend Fathers, and all who are blessed with 
children, only let this matter for a short time be 
made the subject of your quiet meditation. Think 
of how much importance to the church of God is 
the proper nurture of children. Think how neces- 
sary it is that these are not only taken up in their 
tender infancy into covenant with the covenant 
19 



218 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

God ; but that also from youth up, they be instructed 
in the first principles of religion, according to their 
capacities, in order that, when they are old, they 
may not depart from them. Blessed are those chil- 
dren that have parents, who, in the absence of schools, 
have qualification, desire, and time themselves to 
train their tender offspring. But how few there 
are with whom all this is found ; and what a host 
of parents there is, who have no desire for it, 
neither are in circumstances to attend to it. There 
are also others who, though they are in a condition 
to do it, and have also a desire for it, cannot com- 
mand the necessary time ; because, from early 
morning to late evening, their hands are busy in 
laboring for the meat which perisheth, and this 
they must do to secure bread for themselves and 
their children. If there are no schools, provided 
with qualified school-masters, of which there are 
here almost none, or very few, will not the children 
who are not instructed in reading and writing, in 
two or at least in three generations, become like 
the pagan aborigines, that neither book nor writing 
will be found among them? Yea, if the children 
are not instructed in the principles of divine 
worship, according to their capacity, will not their 
external devotional exercises, if any shall yet 
remain among them, degenerate into superstition, 
and will they not, in time, corrupted into an entire 
neglect of God's service, in this respect also become 
like the blind heathen among whom they dwell ? 
yea, worse will they become than the open despisers 
and mockers of God and divine service, of which, 



Schlatter's appeal. 219 

alas ! painful beginnings are already seen. Eev- 
erend Fathers ! and all ye who know that children 
have immortal souls, let your bowels of mercy be 
moved toward these innocents ! Your tender 
gifts of love may, under the blessing of God, be 
the means of establishing schools, and of procuring 
suitable teachers, so that the tender youth may be 
instructed in useful knowledge, and led to the fear 
and worship of God, and so preserved in body and 
soul, unto life eternal. 



AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE INDIANS. 

Let me be permitted to bring another matter 
before you, Eeverend Fathers, and before all who 
heartily desire the spread of the kingdom of Jesus. 
It is the conditon of blind heathenism in this part 
of the world. There is not the least evidence by 
which it may be shown that the Gospel of the 
blessed God has ever been preached to these 
children of paganism, the original inhabitants of 
this part of America, till about six years ago, when 
the Reverend and dear heathen teacher, David 
Brainard — of whom I will hereafter speak — also 
made a visit to Pennsylvania, in order to convert 
them to Christianity. This seems the more de- 
plorable when we consider that they of their own 
free will, drew back and threw open their posses- 
sions to the European strangers, the Christians, 
who from time to time came into their country, 
and took up the same; so that even now, they 



220 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

tarry in large numbers on the frontiers of Pennsyl- 
vania, and do not only cause no trouble to the 
Christians who do them no evil, but treat them in 
a modest and friendly manner whenever they visit 
the Indians, or the Indians them. 

Is it not meet and right that when we Christians 
have reaped their temporal good, w^e should sow 
for them the spiritual ? Have they not the same 
Creator ? Are they not descended from the same 
blood ? Have they not, as w^ell as we, a reasonable 
soul created for immortality ? Had they only the 
same means of grace, did the light of the Gospel 
stream upon them as upon us, who knows whether 
they would not far excel many who bear the name 
of Christ in knowledge, piety, and the honor of 
God ? 

In proof of this, w^e may mention the blessed 
and very astonishing beginning and progress of 
the conversion of the Indians in the neighboring 
Province of New Jersey, only about fifty miles 
from Philadelphia, which has been wrought by the 
Pev. David Brainard — who has been sent thither 
as missionary, by the noble society de propaganda 
cognitione Christi, of Edinburg, in Scotland — who 
with the very notable co-working of the divine 
Spirit, has, in a short time, from 1745 to 1746, 
baptized seventy-seven Indians, after the majority 
of them had not onl}^ made a respectable confession 
of the Christian faith in their own language, but 
gave reliable evidence of their true conversion to 
God. According to the testimony of this devoted 
man, they gave him clearly to understand, and also 



Schlatter's appeal. 221 

brought the same to light in their walk, that after 
the Lord L;id given them grace to see their misery, 
and to lay hold of the Redeemer, they were recon- 
ciled to God, and enjoyed assurance of their salva- 
tion through Jesus Christ. Yet it has pleased the 
Most High, more than four years ago, to transfer 
this excellent man to his eternal rest. Even before 
his death, the number of converted Indians grew 
to 160, to whom the brother of the sainted man, 
the Kev. John Brainard, now ministers, and carries 
forward with blessing this great missionary work. 
Further reliable information in regard to this 
praise-worthy work of conversion may be found in 
the 3d and 4th Part of Dr. Senior John Philip 
Fresini's Pastoral Sammlungen, which are published 
in Frankfurt. 

The still unconverted heathen are sunken into 
a deep blindness, as in an Egyptian night of 
ignorance, so that they do not know their own 
need. Yea, they are even still more and more 
blinded and hardened by the prince of darkness 
and his instrumentalities. Around us shines the 
light of truth; and by the free dispensation of 
God's grace, we are placed in a situation to see 
the danger in which their immortal souls remain. 
Should we not, therefore, be moved with the 
deepest concern on account of their condition, and 
regard it as our highest privilege, to be counted 
worthy to become a means in the hands of God, 
to open the eyes, if not of all, at least of some of 
them, should there even be at first only few, that 
they might turn from darkness to light, and from 
19* 



222 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

the power of Satan unto God, that they may 
receive the forgiveness of sins, and inheritance 
among them, which are sanctified by faith that is 
in Christ Jesus. 

Allow me, Eeverend Fathers in Christ, and 
beloved fellow Christians ! to speak in behalf of 
the poor blind heathen who cannot do it themselves, 
and who do not even desire to do it, so long as 
they know not their own wretched condition. 
They have not requested me to plead for them, to 
ask anything in their behalf; but the deep sym- 
pathy which I feel toward them, and a desire for 
the salvation of their own souls, and the souls of 
their children, constrains me, and makes it my 
duty to entreat for them. 

They live in the borders of our land ; they are 
our nearest neighbors — since we live not only with 
them but in their own land. As we already have 
our homes in the country, it is not necessary for 
us to make great and wearisome journeys over 
seas and over land, which those at Rome do not 
refuse to undertake in order to make proselytes. 
Should we feel less willing to labor for the substan- 
tial well-being and spiritual deliverance of our 
nearest neighbors, who show themselves gentle, 
modest, and friendly toward us, and who have no 
lack of rational understanding and judgment ? 

What could not hitherto be done on account of 
^ the few ministers in the land, which are not suffi- 
cient, by far, to supply the Reformed Christian 
congregations, might be done now, if, through your 
gifts of love, more laborers would be sent out into 



Schlatter's appeal. 223 

the harvest. Their language can be mastered, of 
which there are actual examples in our neighbor- 
hood ; and when, in this way, an entrance to them 
is efiected, they would, when brought over to us, 
also learn our language. 

In the previous century, more than one hundred 
years ago, the Reverend and much-deserving ser- 
vant of God, Rev. John Eliot, and, after him. Rev. 
John Cotton, ministers of two English congrega- 
tions in New England, not far from Boston, the 
first in Roxbury, and the other in Plymouth, began 
to learn the Indian, language and to convert the 
Indians residing there. Rev. Eliot got so far, that 
he translated into their language a Grammar, 
"Practice of Piety," a Catechism, and even a 
Bible, which books were printed at the college at 
Cambridge, near Boston, in 'New England. He 
also saw so much blessing and fruit from his great 
labors and pains, that, by the help of God, before 
the end of his life, when he was upwards of ninety 
years old, he enjoyed the great pleasure of seeing 
four English ministers preach to four regular con- 
gregations of converted Indians in that Province. 
He also saw twenty-four Indians, after proper 
instruction and profession of the faith, ordained by 
Eliot and Cotton, by laying on of hands as minis- 
ters of the word, in twenty-four different places of 
assembly, proclaim as public teachers the name of 
Jesus, and preach to their heathen brethren, in the 
Indian language, the Gospel of Christ. Thus, it 
is evident that it is possible to learn the Indian 
language ; yet it is difiicult for Europeans to pro- 



224 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

nounce it correctly, since many of their words are 
extraordinarily long. As, for example, noovvo- 
mantammovongkanhunoash, means nothing more 
than "our love;" and would we say "our ques- 
tion," the word must not be shorter than natoor- 
tummoetiteangannunnonash. Still, all such difficul- 
ties can, in time, by industry and God's grace, be 
overcome. For further information on this point, 
the life of Rev. Eliot may be read, which has been 
included by Abbot Steinmetz in his " Theologize 
pract.," part xviii, et seq. 

A little of this world's goods, contributed from 
the overplus of such as God has richly blest, might 
result in a great harvest of souls, gathered from 
this heathen blindness, and brought to the blessed 
light of the Gospel by the mighty co-workings of 
the Spirit of God. From us who are counted 
worthy to stand in the service of the blessed God 
the Lord demands more than a bare wish and a 
sigh, by which so many are accustomed to show 
their sympathy with the needy, over which we are 
called to mourn. On us lies the great duty, "Let 
us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed 
and in truth." To show charity in deeds toward 
the poor, especially for the good of their souls, is 
the way to labor truly for their help and deliver- 
ance. 



CONCLUDING WORDS 



This, Reverend Fathers and Brethren, and all 
my beloved fellow-christians, is the most humble 
petition, which, in the name of the Pennsylvania 
congregations, I lay down in your presence, ear- 
nestly imploring you to cast a favorable eye upon 
it, and to weigh the matter and lay it to heart in 
the fear of God and in the spirit of inward mercy. 

The matter is great and important, and the hope 
inspired in me, through the zeal shown by the 
Reverend Fathers in carrying forward the interests 
of the Church, and by what I know of the kind 
liberality of the favored in the land, is not less 
great. May God himself move the hearts of the 
Reverend Fathers, and of all who have the means 
in their hands, to help the needy, to form such 
resolutions and show such signs of love as may 
redound to the honor and glory of God, to the 
refreshment and deliverance of the cons-reijations 
in Pennsylvania, and to the perpetual honor of 
the Church of the Netherlands. 

My prayers, and those of the ministers and 
members in Pennsylvania, will ever be for the peace 
of Jerusalem in the Netherlands. There may God 
confirm the foundations of his kingdom. The 
Lord make the Church of the Netherlands an 
abiding refuge and a safe pavilion for the oppressed 

(225) 



226 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

and suffering, so that it may ever refresh and help 
others without itself ever needing refreshment and 
support from without ! May He set Zion in the 
Netherlands for a praise in the earth till the end 
of days ! Such is the desire and prayer, Reverend 
Fathers, and all charitable Christians, of 
your most humble, most obedient 
servant and brother. 



Michael Schlatter 



Ref. Min. in Philadelphia. 
Amsterdam, June 2^tli, 1751. 



SYNODICAL ACTION IN HOLLAND ON SCHLATTER'S 
STATEMENT AND APPEAL. 

Here is presented the report and opinion of a 
Committee of Synod, appointed in August, 1751, 
at Edam, by the Reverend Christian Synod of 

N^orth Holland, after I had been permitted to 
present before Synod a verbal statement, and 
humbly to solicit counsel and aid from the venera- 
ble Fathers for the Brethren of the faith in Penn- 
sylvania; which opinion was also before the close 
of the Synod, passed as a Synodical resolution, 
and entered upon the Records. 

The Committee appointed to examine the affairs 
of the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, has 
carefully and with all diligence examined the 
w^ritten instruments, documents, and writings, 
handed over by Rev. Schlatter, and have also still 
farther verbally conferred with him, and have 
found : 



SCHLATTER S APPEAL. 



227 



1. That Eev. Schlatter has rendered fall satis- 
faction in regard to the commission which he 
received from both Synods in the year 1746. 

2. That his Keverence deserves our greatest 
praise and most hearty thanks for his zeal and 
faithfulness, in the wearisome and nearly impossi- 
ble journeys and labors which he performed, in 
visiting the congregations, in the preaching of 
many necessary sermons, and in the other care 
required in upbuilding andiDromotingthe well-being 
of the churches. 

3. That Rev. Schlatter has been commissioned 
by the Synod in Pennsylvania to make a report of 
the state of the churches there to both the Synods 
of South and North Holland ; and to solicit from 
them, as well as from the other Synods of the 
Netherlands, and wherever else it might be neces- 
sary, efficient help and support, in order that forty- 
six feeble congregations might be adequately pro- 
vided with ministers, schoolmasters, and books, 
inasmuch as about 30,000 Reformed members are 
found in that region. 

4. That besides the present schoolmasters, and 
besides the two Low Dutch candidates and Temple- 
man, five or six learned, devoted, and sound minis- 
ters are needed ; and that there is needed for their 
annual support from us 2000 florins, seeing that in 
the majority of congregations a schoolmaster is 
also needed. 

The committee judges it to be necessary : 
a. That Pennsylvania be placed npon the list of 
needy churches. 



228 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

h. That it is necessary that Rev. Schlatter him- 
self should visit Germany and Switzerland, pro- 
vided by the Reverend Deputies utriusque Synodi, 
with necessary testimonial letters, and travelling 
mone}^, that he may seek out five or six able 
ministers, and bring them before the Reverend 
Deputies, that they, after first examining them, 
may send them into the service of the churches of 
Penns3dvania. 

e. That it is thought important, in order to 
succeed in collecting the necessary sum of money 
for the support of the ministers and schoolmasters: 

1. That the Reverend Deputies ask permission 
of His Excellent Majesty, to hold collections for 
this purpose ; and that, at the same time, in order 
to reach the end, they should also humbly solicit 
the important help of his Excellent Highness, and 
not less his ITobility, the Senatorial Pensioner. 

2. That the collected sum of money should be 
put to interest in our Province, under the super- 
vision of the Reverend Deputies, who shall annu- 
ally send the interest to Pennsjdvania, of which an 
annual report shall be sent back, stating in what 
way, and to whom the money sent was distributed 
and applied ; of which also the Reverend Depu- 
ties shall annually make rej^ort to the Christian 
Synods. 

3. Before the collections are taken, the ministers 
ought to preach a suitable sermon, or address an 
earnest exhortation to the congregations here, in 
order to move them to liberality. The little book 
published by Rev. Schlatter, might also be recom- 



Schlatter's appeal. 229 

mended to the congregations, that they may read, 
and consider its contents in the fear of God. 

4. There ought to be a Hst made of the money 
contributed by each town or village ; so that when 
the churches in Pennsylvania shall no more need 
our help, or make themselves unworthy of it, each 
particular town or village may receive back what 
they gave, to apply it as each one may judge best. 

5. Our corresponding secretaries must also, in 
the most earnest and impressive manner, in the 
name of our two Synods, entreat the Synods corre- 
sponding with us, strongly to aid the Pennsylvania 
congregations; and also the Honorable civil authori- 
ties of the corresponding Synods. 

6. On his return, the Rev. Schlatter ought to 
call upon the Hon. Thomas Penn, worthy Pro- 
prietor of Pennsylvania, and in the name of both 
Synods, solicit his aid and protection. 

Farther, the Committee is of opinion : 

1. That Mr. Lischy ought to be confirmed in the 
ministry ; and so also, after previous examination, 
the two Low Dutch students, David Marinus, and 
Jonathan Du Bois. 

2. That old father Templeman ought to be 
ordained ; but the manner in which, shall be left 
to the judgment of the Reverend Deputies of both 
Synods. 

3. That honorable testimonials should be given 
to Pastor Schlatter. 

In conclusion, it is the judgment of the com- 
mittee, that the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam 
deserves the thanks of the Synod for the great and 
20 



230 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

manifold care and service already bestowed upon 
the congregations of Pennsylvania, and should be 
affectionately entreated to continue in this Chris- 
tian work. 

Agreeably to the foregoing Kesolution, provided 
with the following Testimonial, I travelled, in the 
name of God, into Germany and Switzerland. 

TESTIMONIAL. 

The bearer of this letter is the Reverend Michael 
Schlatter, -by birth a Swiss, and for some time 
pastor in his native city, St. Gall. Hearing of the 
lack of ministers in Pennsylvania, and being 
inclined to labor in a foreign field, he was sent, an. 
1746, by the Synods of Holland to the American 
province of Pennsylvania, in order to gather the 
Reformed sheep, scattered there, into churches; 
to persuade them to give a certain amount yearly 
to the ministers sent thither; to form an annual 
Coetus of the existing pastors and elders, for the 
oversight of the churches and the transmission of 
reports to our Synods ; and, afterward, to preach, 
as the other pastors, in such congregations as 
might call him — all of which he performed faith- 
fully, according to the wish of the Synods. 

But when communication with us was inter- 
rupted by war and other causes, and our Synods 
could not aid these churches in proportion to their 
necessities and prayers, Rev. Schlatter was deputed 
by th.e Qoetus of Reforn^cd pastors and elders in 
Penpsylvania to make knowu, in their name, and 
prpye, by reliable documents, tp pur Syiioicls ^nd 



Schlatter's appeal. 231 

the Classis of Amsterdam, that the harvest there 
was great (the Reformed numbering about 30,000 
souls,) and the laborers few (there being, as yet, 
only six ministers) ; that the need of schoolmasters 
was still greater ; and that, whilst some among the 
churches there (they comprise forty-six small con- 
gregations, combined in a pastoral mimsterium,) 
were prepared to give a certain yearly salary to 
their missionaries, the larger number were, as yet, 
too weak to raise a sufficient sum, and he there- 
fore humbly implored us, in their name, to look 
out for them five or six suitable pastors, and make 
up the remainder of their support, for a few years, 
from a charitable fund to be created by us for that 
purpose. 

The Synods of J^forth and South Holland, moved 
by Christian love and compassion for so many 
thousand souls, lent a favorable ear to his petition, 
ordered their deputies to look after such a charita- 
ble fund, and appointed Rev. Schlatter himself to 
go into Germany and Switzerland, and, having 
sought out, for the Pennsylvania vineyard, candi- 
dates w^ho are orthodox, pious, learned, of an 
humble dispositiim, and sound in body, to bring 
them to the Hague, there to be examined tho- 
roughly by the deputies of the Synod as to their 
knowledge of theology and of the Greek and 
Hebrew languages, and, being found qualified, to 
be ordained, furnished with an outfit, and then 
sent forth into the harvest. 

Wherefore, the deputies of these Synods bestirred 
themselves as soon as possible, and created the 



232 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

aforenamed charitable fund through the Christian 
liberahty of the Reformed churches within their 
bounds, and now send Eev. Schlatter, author- 
ized by these credentials (so called,) into Germany 
and Switzerland, that he may there (having first 
consulted w^ith men of learning and experience, 
who love orthodoxy and piety,) seek out, for the 
Pennsylvania mission, five or six candidates as 
ministers of the Gospel, w^ho are orthodox, learned, 
pious, of an humble disposition, diligent, sound in 
body, and eagerly desirous after, not earthly, but 
heavenly treasures, especially the salvation of 
immortal souls, and ofiPer, in behalf of the Pennsyl- 
vania churches and the Synods of Holland, to 
every one who may be inclined to undertake this 
ministry : 1. An outfit from Germany or Switzer- 
land to Pennsylvania, as it regards the person, 
clothing, books, and other necessaries. 2. Besides 
perquisites {sic dicta jiJira stolee,) a yearly salary of 
forty or fifty Belgic florins, which, in Pennsylvania, 
(a very fertile province, where the cost of living is 
generally low,) is thought to be sufficient, but w^ill, 
no doubt, be increased in congregations that thrive 
under the care of faithful pastors, as the experience 
of the Lutherans has already shown. And if he 
shall anywhere find such suitable candidates ready 
to go into the Pennsylvania vineyard on conditions 
like these, he shall report to the Deputies of the 
Synod, so that, after consultation, a time may be 
fixed for their coming to the Hague, and a thorough 
examination as aforesaid may there be made. 
Since then, in Pennsylvania, so many thousand 



Schlatter's appeal. 233 

of the Reformed, descended from European ances- 
tors, (destitute of the means of grace these many 
years, wandering there among so many wolves in 
sheep's clothing, and exposed to such great perils,) 
cry out, through this letter, to every Candidate who 
loves Christ and immortal souls, and to him par- 
ticularly, who stands in the market-place idle: 
Gome over and help us ! — we do not douht but that 
God, through his inefiable mercy in Christ, wdll 
bind by the Hol}^ Spirit, as Lord of the harvest, 
the heart of this or that candidate to go of his own 
accord into Pennsylvania, to feed there the hungry 
sheep on the pastures of the pure Gospel and the 
sacraments ; and this the rather, because, if that 
most fertile and populous province of America 
shall, through the active ministry of faithful pastors, 
flourish in doctrine, piety, order, and peace, there 
will be hope, by the help of God, not only of kind- 
ling a torch among the neighboring heathen, who 
are kind-hearted and in no wise averse to the 
Christian name, but also of creating there, a very 
secure and pleasant asylum for the persecuted 
Reformed in European countries. 

May the kind favor of the triune God accompany 
Rev. Schlatter in his w^ork and labor of love, and 
crown it with success, to the eternal glory of his 
name and the salvation of many souls ! 

With these words, men and brethren highly 
esteemed in the Lord, we bid you farewell, and 
trust that you will aid in supplying this deficiency 
of suitable ministers in Pennsylvania, or, if you 
can, supply it yourselves. 
20* 



234 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Given under our hands and seals, at our meeting 
in the Hague, this 10th day of September, 1751. 

[l. s.] a. Werster, 

Preacher at Dort, and deputy of the Synod of S. HolL 

[l. s.] Herman van Binnevest, 

Preacher at Delft, and deputy of the Synod of S. HoU. 

[l. s.] L. V. Zeeberg, 

Preacher at Gorinchen, and dep. of the Syn. of S. HolL 

[l. s.] Herman Barthold Hudmaker, 

Preacher at the Hague, dep. of the Syn. of S. Holl., and Sec. 
of the Committee of the two Synods. 

[l. s.] Wilhelm Abraham Tilenius Kruythoff, 

Preacher at Edam, and dep. of the Syn. of N. Holl. 

For information, I find it necessaiy yet to add, 
that should some candidate, possessing the qualifi- 
cations described in the foregoing document, feel 
himself stirred up to devote his talent to the service 
of the church of God in Pennsylvania, he will 
communicate the fact to the coetui Deputatorum 
utriusque Synodi Hollandi?e, of which a minister 
in the Hague is generally a member, and also for 
the year 1752 and 1753 to the Eeverend H. B. 
Hudmaker, from w^hom he may procure additional 
information, so that no one may come to Pennsyl- 
vania upon an uncertainty and to his disadvantage. 

SOLI DEO GLORIA. 



CHAPTEE YI. 

EESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 

After Mr. Schlatter bad returned to America, 
the interest which had been awakened in the father- 
land in favor of the Pennsylvania churches did 
not abate. Those who had favored his mission, 
continued to press its claims. A touching evidence 
of this is afforded us in the earnest and eloquent 
address of Rev. Hudmaker, minister at the Hague, 
one of the Deputies of the Synod of South Holland, 
and secretary of the committee of the two Synods, 
sent in the name of the committee through Super- 
intendent AVirtz, in Zurich, to the ecclesiastical 
and civil authorities of Switzerland, imploring 
their cooperation in the great and good work. It 
was sent, as its date shows, nearly two months 
after Mr. Schlatter had sailed with his six young 
ministers. As containing important historical 
information, and as showing the true Christian 
interest in behalf of the American churches, which 
the mission of Mr. Schlatter left behind it when he 
was gone, it properly finds a place here. What 
eloquent Christian words ! 

Vert/ learned and highly esteemed Brother in Christ: 

In the year 1728, the Consistory of the Palati- 
nate, which, at the time, itself stood in need of 
foreign aid for the support of their ministers and 

(235) 



236 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

schoolmasters, solicited our benevolence in favor 
of the Reformed, who, since 1682, had emigrated 
from the oppressed Palatinate, and afterwards also 
from the neighboring provinces, and from Switzer- 
land, into Pennsylvania, where they were wander- 
ing and erring about, destitute of the public service 
of God — although they had all freedom of worship 
there — and w^ere themselves unable to provide for 
this destitution. Our Synods counselled for a long 
time without success, as to the manner in which 
they might render that assistance which the}^ were 
desirous of bestowing. However, in 1746, they 
sent the Pev. Michael Schlatter into that country, 
in order to restore those scattered sheep to ecclesi- 
astical order, and to make arrangements that the 
pastors afterwards to be sent might have a regular 
yearly support : whereupon, we also sent four other 
ministers thither, not without great expense to us. 
Thus the foundation of a church there has been 
happily laid. Mr. Schlatter, who in the past year 
was sent hither from thence, has laid before our 
Synod the fact that there are 30,000 Peformed, 
scattered far and wide through that region, that 
they have hardly six ministers, and need at least 
six more, besides an annual addition to the salary 
of all, and that there is most of all a great need 
of schoolmasters and support for them ; and they 
entreat that we may also provide for this destitution. 
Our Synods resolved to lend them assistance ; but 
burdened as we are with the care of more than one 
hundred oppressed churches in Europe, we felt 
that we are not in a condition to bear this burthen 



RESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 237 

ourselves ,and found it necessary not only to apply 
to our civil authorities, but also to call in the aid 
of foreign, civil, and ecclesiastical help, especially 
from those who externally stand in a nearer rela- 
tion to the Pennsylvania Brethren than we our- 
selves. 

For this reason, we the Deputies to w^hom has 
been committed the carrying out of this Synodical 
resolution, turned first to our own Boards, and 
having received from them a liberal gift for five 
years to be applied to the Pennsylvania churches, 
w^e sent the Pev. Mr. Schlatter to Germany and 
Switzerland, there to seek out six suitable preachers 
for Pennsylvania. At the same time, in an accom- 
panying letter, we besought the Consistorj' of the 
Palatinate to join us in rendering the needed assist- 
ance ; and although their church treasury is itself 
so small as to need our help, they, nevertheless, 
sent over to us a contribution of 300 guilders for 
this object. Secondly, we invited the overseers of 
the Peformed Swiss Cantons, yet, in this summer, 
to lay this matter before the Diet of the Cantons ; 
two of which have engaged so to do, and the 
magistrate of the city of St. Gall promised us in 
writing, he would, through his Deputy, recommend 
and advance the application before his Diet. 

In the month of March, Mr. Schlatter returned 
to us with five very excellent and suitable candi- 
dates from the Province of JN'assau, to whom still 
another from the Province Berg joined himself. 
After a particular examination, we ordained them, 
and sent them with him into the forsaken vine- 



238 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

yard of Pennsylvania, whicli cost ns, for travelling 
money and support, about 4000 guilders. Now, 
in order that we may the more effectively carry 
forward this work so auspiciously commenced, and 
until this time, by the blessing of heaven, crowned 
with success, we turn, through you, very respected 
brother, to the beloved brethren in Switzerland, 
and beseech you to lend your aid in the further- 
ance of this great Christian enterprise ; not only 
that you petition the authorities of the Cantons 
and the confederated cities at the Diet, at Frauen- 
feld, in the coming summer, to send to ns, the 
Deputies, a free-will offering for this purpose, be it 
once for all, or, what is better, so much annually 
for several years, for the establishment of public 
worship in Pennsylvania, but also that you your- 
selves, each one in his district, may contribute 
something by means of a public or private collec- 
tion, or both at the same time, and send it over to 
us ; and that you, "Wirtz, highly-respected brother, 
may recommend this interest in the most favorable 
manner to the respected ministers of the Cantons 
and confederated cities. For many of those sheep 
of the fold in Pennsylvania, in whose behalf we 
plead, and have already opened our hands wide, 
are your flesh and blood ! Yes, many of them 
have eaten with you of the same bread, and have 
drunken with you from the same cup of the Lord, 
in testimony that you are with them and with us 
one body and one spirit, namely, Christ's. Hence, 
we have every right to hope and trust that you 
shexDherds, when you hear these facts, and learn yet 



EESULTS OF SCHLATTEll'S MISSION. 239 

more from Mr. Schlatter's faithful report of the 
pitiable condition in reference to public worship 
existing among the Keformed in Pennsylvania, 
and of the hope of a great gain to Christianity, if 
this want can be supplied — this report has, in this 
year, been translated and printed at Frankfort, and 
is dedicated to you pastors and to the Swiss Go- 
vernment — we hope, I say, that you also will 
cheerfully lend your aid by a general collection in 
money, which you will send to us for them, that 
thus our hands may be made strong and effective 
by your state and churcb contributions, that we 
may firmly erect and sustain the standard of the 
Gospel in those regions. To this end, w^e have 
also invited the bretheu in England, to make com- 
mon cause with us, and not w^ithout the hope of a 
happy result. So that w^e, united in heart and 
hand, and laboring unweariedly in this w^ork of 
love for the name of Christ, that the praise of the 
triune God may be exalted far and near in America, 
and that there may be found in that land a pleas- 
ant place of refuge for the oppressed Reformed 
who fly thither from Europe. 

The Shepherd of Israel, who neither slumbers 
nor sleeps, be and remain unto you, beloved Swiss 
brethren, from year to year, a wall of fire against 
all the gates of hell ! The almighty and gracious 
Father of mercies, in Christ through the Holy 
Ghost, make you and your congregations, highly- 
respected brethren, a praise in the earth by all 
kinds of heavenly blessings ; and may He exalt 
the Pennsylvania Reformed, who have gone thither 



210 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

from your midst, even as all the rest who are there, 
as your beloved children, to be v^dtnesses of His 
grace and the blessed first-fruits of the American 
harvest ! And may the mutual co-operation of the 
Reformed Swiss, Oermans, Hollanders, and Eng- 
lish, in the establishment of the American Church 
and the fraternal correspondence occasioned there- 
b}^, be a testimony that they are one, and, at the 
same time, prove a blessed means and incentive to 
a still more inward brotherly union ! 

Peace and prosperity be with you and yours, 
dearly beloved and honored brethren in the Lord, 
and may you ever rejoice in the abundant grace 
which is in Christ Jesus. 

In the name of the Deputies of the Synods of 
North and South Holland, 

Hermann Barthold Hudmaker, 

Pastor at the Hague, Deputy of the Synod, and Secretary 
of the Council of the Deputies of both Synods. 

So written at tlie Hague, 
May Zd, 1752. 

P. S. We entreat that you may communicate 
this, our letter, or an extract from it, as soon as 
possible, in any way you may think best, to the 
Reformed ministers, Classis, and Synods of the 
Cantons, and to the confederated cities, so that the 
important object contemplated may be zealously 
advanced, as it has in our provinces been already 
begun. 

In the meantime, may your life be useful, and 
happy, and long ! 



RE:=?ULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 241 

The collections decided upon by the Synods of 
iloUand were taken up with the most glorious 
results. The gifts of the civil authorities vied with 
the free-will ofierings of the churches. The Swiss 
brethren gave a liberal response, and even the 
oppressed Palatinate, like Mar}^ wdth the sword in 
its heart, lifted up its love-filled eyes " under the 
Cross," and offered its widow's mite in the name 
of Jesus. 

" God has blessed the labors of Mr. Schlatter 
and his visit to Europe," exclaimed Eev. Muhlen- 
bers:, in a communication to Halle, soon after Mr. 
Schlatter's return, with evident joy. 

" The Eev. pastors of Holland have gone to the 
labor of collecting 12,000 pounds sterling for the 
German Reformed of Pennsylvania, and ordained 
that this capital shall be put upon interest, from 
which interest a number of churches and school- 
houses shall be erected, and ministers and school- 
teachers supported, as may be seen by letters 
directed to the authorities of our government. 
God has blessed the labors of Mr. Schlatter and 
his visit to Europe. May he also grant that the 
true kingdom of Jesus Christ may be built up by 
this help.^ 

Still later, in 1754, w^hen the blessed results of 
Mr. Schlatter's mission had still farther unfolded 
themselves, Eev. Muhlenberg again bears cheerful 
testimony to the good work accomplished through 

» Hal. Nach., p. 512. 
21 



242 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

the instrumentality of tliis apostolic man. " The 
Fathers and Overseers of the Reformed Church in 
Holland, Germany, and Switzerland," he again 
writes to Halle, "have lately interested themselves 
with great earnestness in their Church among the 
Reformed in this country. Through the moving 
representations of Mr. Schlatter, first Reformed 
minister here, made in person and by writing, 
they have sufiered themselves to be awakened on 
the subject, so that a collection has been arranged 
among the Reformed in Europe, and a considerable 
sum has been gathered, which they have established 
as capital and put on interest in Europe, from 
which their preachers and schoolmaster here are 
to be paid according to the need of each. Yea, 
when this representation of Mr. Schlatter, first 
published in Dutch, had been translated into 
English by an English preacher in Holland, it 
made such an impression upon the English nation 
that even His Majesty, the King of Great Britain, 
and the Ro3'al Family were graciously moved to 
contribute a large sum, who were followed by rich 
assistance also from the principal lords and digni- 
taries. These gifts, which, it is said, amounted to 
20,000 pounds sterling, were, by order of His 
Majesty, placed in the hands of certain Trustees, 
constituting ' A Society for Propagating the Know- 
ledge of God among the Germans,' from the 
interest of which free schools are here to be estab- 
lished and sustained under the inspection of Mr. 
Schlatter. It is proper that we should rejoice in 



RESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 243 

this; and it would be in the highest degree un- 
christian to look with jealous eye upon this move- 
ment, simply because no advantage is expected to 
accrue from it to our Lutheran members." ^ 

As some of the old Coetal minutes are lost, the 
exact amount of money sent over from year to 
year cannot be known. Still enough is apparent 
from tiiose minutes which have been preserved, 
to enable us to see very clearly the measure and 
flow of this stream of benevolence. The first 
distribution on record is in 1755. The amount 
distributed in that year was <£418. 15 s. 6 d. Penn- 
sylvania currency. The amount varied very little 
from this up to the year 1761 or 1762. In 1757, it 
was X357. 2s. lOd. — in 1758, .£385. 14s.— in 
1759, £ 395. 14 s. 7 d. Soon after 1760, the 
amount seems to grow gradually less ; no doubt, 
because the congregations increased, and many of 
them gradually became self-supporting. In 1770, 
it was £S5. 14s. 3d. — in 1773, £46. 6s. — in 
1778, it was 450 guilders. The last gift we find 
acknowledged is 100 guilders, "for the use of the 
congregation in Baltimore," in 1791.^ 

1 Hal. Nach., pp. 686, 687. 

2 It may be interesting — and we hope it may be projitahle — 
to the old German Reformed congregations, to be here pre- 
sented with several Tables or Lists of the distribution which 
was made of these gifts, showing to what extent they are 
severally indebted, not only for support in their infancy, but 
even in some cases for their very existence. We must give 
lists from several periods, from 1755 and onward. 



244 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

From these data, the reader will be able to 
determine with a good degree of certainty, the 
probable amount distributed in the intervening 
years, and thus also to appreciate the great blessing 
which this charity must have proved to be to the 
feeble churches during that period ; when they 



Extract showing the distribution of the charities from the 
Reverend Deputies Utriusque IIollandiEe, and the Reverend 
Classis of Amsterdam, commenced in April, 1755. 

AMOUNT 
MINISTERS. CHARGES. RECEIVED. 

£> s. d. 

Rev. Weiss Goshenhoppen 35 15 

" Reiger Schaffer's church . . 15 00 

" Schlatter 45 00 

Remainder of last year 14 00 

Rev. Leydich Falkncr Schwam . . 35 15 

" Lischy YorktoAvn 37 13 6 

" Otterbein Lancaster 18 00 

" Stoy Tulpehocken 3G 18 

" Frankenfeld Fredericktown, Md. 3G 00 

" Waldschmid Cocalico, &c 3G 10 

" DuBois Northampton, &c.. 21 5 

" Templeman Swatara, iS:c 10 5 

** Steiner Germanto\yn* 36 00 

" Bartholomaeus 19 2 

" Dorstius 5 80 

Travelling expenses of the Elders 15 4 

Penna. Currency. 417 15 6 

* Precisely one hundred years later, this congregation paid this debt of gratitude 
by suffering themselves, their property, and the ashes of their forefathers to be 
transferred to another denomination! Let not the sin be laid to the charge of the 
members. The tempted are less guilty than the tempter. Truth, righteousness, 
and a revival of an older and better feeling, will yet enable them to extricate 
themselves from the snare of the fowler. If not then Daniel v. 5, 6, and Jer. 
xxii. 131 



RESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 245 

had to contend, not only with the trials incident 
to the founding of churches in a new country, 
where the emigrants were generally poor and 
scattered, but had also to maintain their existence 
throuirh the horrors of the tedious and vexatious 
French and Indian war, as well as the eight years of 

Rate of the distribution of the subsidy, 1759. 

ASIOUXT 
MINISTERS. CHARGES. RECEIVED. 

£ s. d. 

Rev. Weiss Goshenhoppen 30 00 

" Reiger Schaffer's church. . 30 00 

" Leydich Falkner Schwam. . . 30 00 

" Otterbein Tulpehocken 37 10 

«' Stoy Lancaster 30 00 

" AValdschmid Cocalico, &c 30 00 

" Du Bois Northampton, &c.. 20 00 

*' Alsentz 30 00 

" Templeman Emeritus 10 00 

pro alendo Bartholomaeus 25 00 

Rev. Rubel Philadelphia 15 00 

To Widoivs. 

Widow of Dorstius 1 7 

" " Munz 7 70 

To ScJioolmasiers. 

At Lancaster 8 00 

" Kreutz creek 3 00 

" Conewago 1 10 

" Readingtown, 3 00 

" Goshenhoppen 110 

" Falkner Schwam 2 00 

" Tulpehocken 4 00 

Expenses to Coetus 14 00 

Total distributed. 339 9 
Remaining in the hands of Rev. Leydich. 5G 5 7 

Total received. 395 14 7 

21* 



246 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Revolutinary struggle. That period in the history 
of the German Reformed Church in America was 
as a long season of storms, dark clouds, and cheer- 
less rain ; and the brotherly kindness of the Re- 
formed Brethren in Europe was as the smiling 
light, breaking through at intervals, to cheer their 
hopes, and assure them that 

"Behind the clouds is the sun still shining." 

Besides this regular and liberal aid in money, 
the Fathers in Europe were always prompt in 
responding to calls for ministers. The need of 
ministers in the American vineyard was continually 
kept before the churches, especially of the Palati- 
nate and Switzerland ; and such as showed them- 
selves willing and qualified for the work were sent 
in from year to year. Indeed, nearly all the 
ministers that were added to the Coetus, and entered 
the service of the church previous to the war of 
freedom, and for some years after its close, were 
from western Germany and Switzerland. 

Such is a brief outline sketch of the blessed 
results of Mr. Schlatter's mission to Europe ; and 

In 1770, the charities were distributed thus : 

£> s. d. 

The Widows 12 00 

Gross and Gobrecht travelling expenses to Maryland 6 00 
A gift to Mr. Filhring, to pay the debts which he has 

made in his studies 6 00 

Travelling expenses to Synod of the members present, 

each £ 3 39 00 

To E,ev. Witner, as support 10 4 3 

To five schoolmasters, each £ 2. 10 shilling 12 10 

Total. SST-Ts 



RESULTS OF SCHLATTER'S MISSION. 24T 

such the efi'ectual response which was given to his 
eloquent and soul-stirring plea. Gazing in silence 
at this picture of love and devotion from brethren 
to brethren, how is the heart assured of the reality 
and power of the Christian life in the midst of a 
selfish world! Such exhibitions of the spirit of 
Him who gave himself for all, that all might give 
themselves to one another, is truly ^' an odor of a 
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to 
God." 



CIIAPTEK VII. 

SCHLATTER IN PHILADELPHIA. 

1752-1755. 

The arrival of Schlatter, with his band of six 
new ministers, was an occasion for joy to the 
shepherds and the flocks in Pennsylvania. Six 
new laborers, young and hopeful, good and true, 
standing at the border of the great ripe field, ready 
to hear the words : " Go ! and as ye go, preach, 
saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"^ It 
must have been a cheeriuo; sig-ht, as it was one of 
true moral grandeur, when these young heralds of 
the Cross w^ere, for the first time, presented to the 
Ccetus, by wdiich addition its number was at once 
doubled. 

After greeting his friends, Mr. Schlatter felt it 
to be his first duty to accompanj^ the new ministers 
to their fiekls of labor, instal them, and make such 
other arrangements as were necessary for them 
and their congregations, that the good work might 
be prosecuted with success. Mr. Otterbein was 
taken to Lancaster, Mr. Stoy to Tulpehocken, Mr. 
Waldschmid to Cocalico and affiliated congre- 
gations, and Mr, Frankenfeld to Frederick, in 
Maryland. Owing, however, to the distance and 

* These were Stoy, Waldschmid, Frankenfeld, Rubel, Wissler, 
and Otterbein. 

(248) 



SCHLATTER IN PHILADELPHIA. 249 

the difficulty of communication and travel, this 
last one was not located till in May of the follow- 
ing year, at which time Mr. Schlatter accompanied 
him to Frederick — which they only reached after 
having heen detained for some time on the way 
by high water — and installed him as pastor of that 
charge. Mr. Wissler seems to have lived but a 
short time after his arrival. In the first list extant 
of the members of Ccetus after his arrival, namely, 
1755, his name does not appear, and in the minutes 
of 1757 there is mention made of a gift to his 
widow. It does not appear that he served any 
charge : and nothing farther is known of him here, 
though we hope he is known among the angels 
and saints in heaven. 

Mr. Eubel was located for a short time in Phila- 
delphia. Before Schlatter's return from Europe, 
about the close of the year 1751 or beginning of 
1752, Mr. Steiner, pressed by growing difficulties 
in the congregation of Philadelphia, felt himself 
necessitated to withdraw — which he did, leaving 
that congregation vacant, removing to German- 
town and confining his labors to that place. It 
will be recollected that there were two congrega- 
tions in Philadelphia since the unfortunate schism 
which grew out of the intrusion of Mr. Steiner. 
The old congregation had been served by supplies 
durino; Mr. Schlatter's absence, and, on his return, 
he resumed his place as pastor. Mr. Eubel took 
charge of the new congregation, formed in exciting 
and troublous times, and now so soon vacated by 
Mr. Steiner. Whether this was done with the 



I 

250 LIFE AND LABOPtS OF SCHLATTER. 

advice and consent of Mr. Schlatter and the Coetiis 
is doubtful. It is evident, however, that Mr. Ruhel 
did not turn out well, but became a trouble instead 
of a blessing to his brethren and the church. 
There is a black sheep in almost every flock, and 
this did " the rebellious Eubel," as Coetus calls him, 
become among the band of six. At the first 
Coetus which he attended, in 1752, only a few 
months after his arrival, he already " disturbed the 
Coetus" by his refractory spirit, and afterw^ards left 
it, "basely persuading others also to leave." In 
the Ccetal minutes of March 31st, 1753, he is 
charged with having determined to be his own 
judge, and of being guilty of standing independent 
of Synod; which is given as a reason why he 
ought to be deprived of any part in the annual 
subsidy sent over from Holland. Though he had 
rendered himself thus unworthy, Coetus still pa- 
tiently bore with him, hoping to control his unruly 
spirit in the end, and saving the congregation 
over which he presided from utter ruin. 

As might be expected, new difficulties soon 
arose in the congregation of Philadelphia. The 
minister who is destitute of the spirit of subordina- 
tion and peace himself must not expect anything 
of the kind from his people. lie who kicks at his 
superiors encourages those under him to do the 
same to him. Mr. Eubel found this to be true in 
his own experience. There w^^s an abundance of 
this spirit in the Philadelphia congregation, with- 
out the impulse given to it by Mr. Kubel's own 
example. 



SCHLATTER IN PHILADELPHIA. 251 

Their history convinces us forcibly of the truth 
testified to by Ccetus in 1755, when they say, 
through their Secretary, that "they have. always 
observed a restless, covetous disposition among the 
Philadelphians, especially in certain members," 
and again, in 1759, when treating of its affairs, 
they say: "its restless spirit, contrary to the 
presage and omen of its name, is always stirring 
up new troubles. The matter has hitherto been 
like a sport and mockery, and will be until we 
abandon it." Would that those had been the last 
troubles in its eventful history. 

The difficulties thus created and growing be- 
tween Mr. Ivubel and his congregation also in a 
certain vray involved Mr. Schlatter. At the meet- 
ing of Ccetus, held at Lancaster, on the 9th of 
April, 1755, a committee was appointed to consider 
the circumstances of Mr. Rubel and the congrega- 
tion in Philadelphia. They reported, that in their 
judgment Mr. Rubel ought to withdraw from 
serving them, because this would be agreeable to 
the expressed wishes of the Fathers in Holland, 
and because also the circumstances of the congre- 
gation seemed plainly to indicate that as the pro- 
per course. They also reported that they think it 
no longer necessary that Rev. Schlatter should 
continue to preach to the one part of the congre- 
gation in a separate church, since he himself, with 
the ministers generally, have hope that when Mr. 
Kubel has withdrawn, the whole congregation, 
including the two divided portions, will again 
become perfcctl}' united. They therefore suggest 



252 LIFE AND LACORS OF SCHLATTER. 

whether it would not be best that Schlatter and 
Kuhel should both, at the same time, cease preach- 
ing there, and the congregation should be served, 
by wa}' of supply, through the other members of 
Coetus alternately twice a month, till such time as 
a suitable stated pastor could be secured on whom 
both would unite. This suggestion w^as enacted 
into a Ccctal resolution, and met with the approval 
of Mr. Schlatter, who cheerfully co-operated in 
carrying out its intent. 

There was, however, a difficulty in the way of 
the congregation of Mr. Eubel carrying out this 
decision of Coetus. In the call at first given to 
him, it was agreed that in case a change vras 
desired the congregation should give the pastor 
six months' notice, and that he should do the same 
should he contemplate a change. Mr. Rubel,' who, 
it seems, was somewhat reluctant to leave, was 
disposed to stay himself on this arrangement. 
Several of the ministers, however, privately inter- 
ested themselves in the matter, urging upon Mr. 
Ivubel and his elders the consideration, that, inas- 
much as there was now a prospect of reconciling 
the lon2:-existinoj difficulties in the union of both 
parties, it was their solemn duty mutually to release 
one another of that obligation. This was success- 
ful, and Mr. Rubel agreed to preach his farewell 
sermon on the 26th of the same month, April, 
1755.^ Mr. Schlatter also resigned his connection 

' "What became of INIr. Rubel after this does not appear. It 
is only said incidentally in a letter to Holland by Rev. Stoy, 
accompanying the Coctal acts of the yoar IToT), that "he left 
Pennsvlvania." 



SCHLATTER IN PIIILADELPiriA. 253 

with the congregation of his early and constant 
love — in the service of which he had, in the first 
part, experienced many joys, and, in the latter, 
endured many sorrows. It is added in the Coetal 
acts, "Further, Mr. Rubel and Mr. Schlatter have 
laid aside their personal differences in love." 

Mr. Schlatter, after his return from Europe, 
would, perhaps, not have consented again to 
resume the service of the church in Philadelphia, 
seeing that he there endured so many tribulations, 
had he not been requested so to do by Coetus. 
They judged, it seems, that through him the way 
for reconciliation and peace could be prepared. 
For his labor and success they bear him an honor- 
able testimon}', thus : " In all this affair of restoring 
peace, the Coetus would praise the calm conduct 
and the impartiality of spirit of our Eeverend 
brother Schlatter ; and we here thank his Rever- 
ence publicly for the pains and service, which, at 
our request, he undertook to endure, and for the 
good which he has accomplished in part of the 
congregation in Philadelphia, which, up to this 
time, has remained true to the Synodical and 
Coetal directions."^ 

To trace out these peace arrangements to their 
results in the history of the congregation, would 
lead us too far out of our present path. We may 

' The other portion manifested, from first to last, a spirit of 
insubordination to Coetus, showing deference to it only when 
they expected to be able to use it for their own purposes — a 
course in which they were rather encouraged than restrained 
by the example of Mr. Steiner. 
22 



254 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

sa}^ however, that they were not so durable in 
their fruits as was anticipated. The old spirit 
returned after a time ; nor did the church there 
know either peace or prosperity until after the 
death of Mr. Steiner in 1763, when a blessing 
came upon them through the ministry of the excel- 
lent Weyberg. Still, even the temporary cessation 
of strife and the strong probability that peace 
might prove lasting, gave great joy and encourage- 
ment to Mr. Schlatter and the whole Coetus — to 
the former, because he always felt a tender interest 
in that congregation as his first love ; and to the 
latter, because of the prominent place which that 
church occupied, being located in the metropolis 
of Pennsylvania. In a letter to Holland, dated at 
Philadelphia, June 1755, accompanying the Coetal 
acts, he says: "It will be seen what measures 
were takeu at our last Coetus so unanimously, and, 
as I hope, with a blessing attending them. There 
is great hope that the Pennsylvania church affairs 
are getting in a good way, wdiich may God grant." 
About this time, Mr. Schlatter was appointed 
superintendent and travelling visitor and agent for 
the London society for the establishment and 
support of schools among the Germans in Penn- 
sylvania, which, on account of the agency which 
he had in the creation of that charity, and his 
interest in the cause of general education, he 
was induced to accept. Still, his interest in the 
prosperit}^ of the infant church, for which ho had 
made so many sacrifices, and endured such toil, 
was unabated. He not only hoped indirectly to 



SCHLATTER IN PHILADELPHIA. f?55 

promote its prosperity, aud tliat of religion gene- 
rally by seeking to advance general education, but 
he also expected to combine with his labors in tlja^t 
department various efforts for the good of the 
church. He believed that in his travels and visits 
through the country, he could successfully labor 
for both ; and this seems also to have been the 
opinion of his brethren in the Coetus. " We re- 
quested his Eeverence," they report to Holland, 
"in a friendly and brotherly manner, together 
with his extended journeys on account of the 
school inspection, also now and then, as time and 
circumstances would permit, to preach in our 
churches, whereunto may Jesus Christ farther 
support him by His grace." ^ 

' Minutes, 1755. The formal resolution of Coetus, making 
this appointment, is as follows: 

*' Resolved, that one minister out of our midst shall annually 
be appointed to visit all the congregations throughout the 
land, and inquire into their condition, to see how matters stand 
all over, with ministers and congregations. For this purpose, 
Rev. Schlatter was unanimously elected, with the request that 
his R,everence always take with him the nearest minister to 
the nest place, and thus visit the congregation two by two, as 
he may have opportiinity.'' This custom was kept up during 
many years ; and it is easily seen, that in the circumstances of 
the church in those early times, when ministers and congrega- 
tions were scattered, and means of communication few and 
difficult, the practice must have been followed by various good 
results. What a privilege to ministers and people in their 
isolated fields of labor, to receive such a visit, and be favored 
from two ministerial brethren with sympathy, encouragement, 
and counsel ! Would it not be vrell to restore this wise and 
venerable custom, lotting the range of visitations include one 
Classis. The visitor might be the President of Chassis. Many 



256 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

An extract from his own letter, accompanying 
the minutes for the year 1755, which we have 
ah^eacly quoted, will lead us still farther into his 
private views and feelings in regard to the interests 
of the church at large. " I hope that through the 
general visitation which the Reverend Coetus has 
entrusted to me, I will be placed in a condition 
toward 'New Year to send over to Holland an 
exact report, how strong all our congregations are 
— how many ministers are yet required — how 
many schools already exist, and where ; how many 
are yet needed, and in what places ? I also hope to 
employ my leisure time, gradually to introduce 
good regulations among ministers and congrega- 
tions, in reference to the establishment of a 
widow's fund ; and besides this to undertake other 
improvements, that here also, by the help of God, 
an orderly church government may at last come to 
exist, and in future remain an object of your love, 
favor, and compassion, that you as well as we, 
may hereafter have reason to praise the mercy of 
God."i 

difficulties that inevitably spring up in congregations and 
charges might thus be adjusted before they root deeper, afflict 
congregations and ministers for years, cause much trouble to 
Classis to settle them, and by being suffered to grow, often end 
in ruin before the tide can be arrested. 

* This letter was written in the Dutch language. A copy 
may be seen in Mayer's MSS. vol. i. p. 32. The original is in 
the hands of Dr. Devritt, of New York. Mr. Schlatter also 
preached when occasion required in Dutch, though he did it 
with difficulty. He no doubt acquired the knowledge and 
use of that language during his sojourn in Holland in early 
life. 



SCHLATTER IN PHILADELPHIA. 257 

The founding of a fund for the support of the 
widows of deceased ministers was a matter of early 
and earnest concern with Mr. Schlatter and the 
Coetus. During his visit to Europe, he made appli- 
cation for a contribution toward this object, to the 
Trustees of a similar fund in his native city, St. 
Gall. Owing to some difficulties in the wa}^ he 
w\as not successful in that application ; still he bore 
the matter on his mind, and at a later period the 
project, which was thus early suggested and labored 
for by him, succeeded. We believe the same fund 
has come down, slowly accumulating to the present 
time. 

Mr. Schlatter seems to have continued to reside 
in Philadelphia for about a year later, though not 
as pastor ; still, he performed some ministerial acts 
in the congregation. We find records made in his 
hand as late as July 7th 1756. 



99* 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 

1755-1757. 

"With our forefathers ever since the Reformation^ 
the church and the school were one interest, even 
as the head and the heart are one in one immortal 
being. They never dreamed that true education 
could be sundered from rehgion. They were per- 
suaded that educated nature is educated vice — an 
evil instead of a good, wdien grace does not under- 
lie it. They were firmly persuaded that faith with- 
out knowledge leads to superstition, and that 
knowledge without faith leads to infidelity. What 
God has joined, they piously kept together; so 
that in their minds, minister and schoolmaster, 
church and school-house, were one idea. Wherever 
zeal and sacrifice could accomplish it, the church 
and the school-house had to stand together on the 
same glebe, shedding abroad their light in unison, 
like the sun and moon, — the one shining as source ; 
the other as it is shone upon. 

As Mr. Schlatter found a great destitution in 
ministers and churches, so he found also a corre- 
sponding want in regard to schoolmasters and 
schools. In the majority of feeble c?mrches which 
then existed, the families had no provisions, re- 
sources, or means, for educating their children. 

(258) 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 259 

The few schoolmasters that were found in the 
country, were not able to support themselves by 
their scanty income ; and were in many cases com- 
pelled to abandon their calling to earn bread for 
themselves and famiHes in some other way. In 
many localities, families lived far apart; so that 
Avhen they were even anxious to unite for the 
support of a school, the distance was too great for 
children to come together. Many, too, there were, 
who partly from pressing circumstances, and partly 
from undue devotion to merely temporal interests, 
had little desire to promote the higher nurture of 
their children. The records of the times abund- 
antly show that all wakeful and observant persons 
felt, — and gave frequent and emphatic expression 
to their feelings — that the state of things which 
then existed, if it should be long continued, must 
lead to a condition of the grossest semi-barbarism, 
where ignorance and immorality should rule and 
reign. 

On account of the care which has always been 
bestowed upon the proper education of children in 
the Fatherland, those who themselves came from 
Europe, were generally anxious for the education 
of their children; and were in a measure, also 
able and willing to instruct them in the family, 
where school privileges could not be enjoyed ; but 
where no aids were interposed, amid the difficul- 
ties and disadvantages under which they labored 
in a new and thinly settled country, a downward 
tendency was almost inevitable; and in many 
localities degeneration soon became painfully evi- 



260 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

dent. Rev. Samuel Chandler of London, in a 
Latin letter to Rev. Gerhard Kulenkamp of Am- 
sterdam, in 1760 — in which he reports on the 
labors of the London society for the support of 
schools among the German Protestants in Penn- 
sylvania, and pleads for a continuance of the aid 
furnished from Holland for the same purpose, to 
the churches of Pennsylvania — draws a picture 
which is truly deplorable, showing what degree 
the process of degeneration had reached at that 
time. His language is evidently too sweeping; 
for there were at that time, a number of flourishing 
congregations wdth pious and eificient ministers 
both in the Reformed and Lutheran church, which 
were as centres of light in the general darkness. 
Yet, as applying to many localities, and perhaps 
to the majority of scattered and neglected Germans, 
it is strictly correct. " The German Protestants in 
Pennsylvania, it shames me and grieves me to say 
it, are of the dregs of the people, poor, rude, igno- 
rant of divine things, and so occupied with their 
rustic labors and domestic affairs, that they are 
scarcely, or never, able to find time enough, even 
if the ability were at hand, to instruct and teach 
their children in matters pertaining to religion. 
What, I ask, will become of them, if your charity 
grows cold ? If they are left utterly ignorant of 
divine things, they will not only be of no benefit, 
but will become a plague to the commonwealth, 
and enemies to your church. "What, and how 
much, have not your High and Mighty Estates 
merited from these wretched men, who, in a 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 261 

manner that is be3^ond all praise, through so many 
years, have granted such large sums of money to 
imbue them with the doctrines of the Christian 
faith, and the precepts pertaining to a good life 
and eternal salvation ! But the work is not yet 
finished. Most miserable people ; families destitute 
and rude implore for help. The ministers will no 
longer be able to stand, for they will lack the 
necessaries of life, and their flocks will be left like 
sheep without a shepherd. The people are in 
danger of becoming the prey of rapacious wolves 
and cunning foxes, both of which abound in 
Pennsjdvania." 

The causes which led to such a result, and were 
still spreading the misery farther every year, w^ere 
at work before Schlatter arrived in America. In 
his missionary travels he saw the great want of 
schools, and frequently alluded to it in a most 
touching way in his journal and his reports to the 
Fathers in Holland. During his mission to Europe 
in 1751 and 1752, he embraced the opportunity of 
laying this destitution open before the ministers 
and churches both publicl}^ and privately. Their 
sympathies were awakened, and their prompt and 
efficient action secured in behalf of the American 
churches and schools. The Synod of ]N"orth Hol- 
land represented this destitution to the government, 
and asked permission to hold a general collection 
throughout the iSTctherlands in favor of this object. 
The states of Holland and West Frisland granted 
2000 guilders per annum for five years. A con- 
siderable sum was collected in the city of Amster- 



262 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCULATTER. 

clam ; and to this was added the aggregate of the 
general collection, directed to be taken up for this 
object. In this way, the sum of £12,000 sterling 
was secured, which was properly invested in Hol- 
land, and the interest devoted to the support of 
the churches and schools in Pennsylvania. To 
this, the Reformed of the Palatinate in its oppressed 
and impoverished circumstances added a gift of 
300 guilders, and the Swiss churches also responded 
to an appeal addressed to them in behalf of their 
destitute brethren. 

The interest which Mr. Schlatter awakened in 
favor of the establishment of schools in Pennsyl- 
vania did not remain confined to Holland, the 
Palatinate, and Switzerland. The moving appeal 
of Mr. Schlatter first published in the Dutch lan- 
guage, and afterwards in German, was also trans- 
lated into English by Rev. Mr. Thomson — English 
preacher in Amsterdam, and a member of that 
Classis — and widely circulated in England and 
Scotland, backed by a personal visit and appeal on 
the part of Mr. Thomson, urging its claims upon 
the benevolent in England. Such was the impres- 
sion made by this publication on the British 
nation, that the King, the Royal Family, and the 
nobles were induced to lead off" by large contribu- 
tions toward a school fund for the benefit of the 
Germans in America. Having laid this matter 
open in England, Mr. Thomson also carried the 
application for aid into Scotland, where he him- 
self was known, and represented the case before 
the General Assembly then sitting in Edinburgh, 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 263 

The result was the taking np of a national collec- 
tion, which amounted to upwards of X1200 sterling. 
The good work did not cease till the sum collected 
amounted to c£12,000^ sterling. The proprietors 
of Pennsylvania also gave an annual contribution. 

This important result was brought about by the 
labors and influence of Mr. Schlatter, of which 
abundant proof is at hand. We quote only the 
testimony of Rev. Muhlenberg. AYriting to Halle, 
among other things, he says : 

"It is yet farther necessary to mention that 
several 3'ears ago a project was laid before His 
Excellency, our Proprietary Wm. Penn, regarding 
the necessit}' of establishing free or charity schools 
among the Germans of Pennsylvania. On account 
of the expense which it involved, the matter has 
been permitted to lie still till a more propitious 
time. iSTow, when the Reformed preacher, Mr. 
Schlatter, came into this country, bringing w^ith 
him from his directors important recommendations 
to our government, he came to be greatly respected 
by the rulers; he had also all possible assistance 
rendered him in the sad revolutions and uproar 
of his people,^ and was permitted to return to 
Holland with the very best recommendations. In 
Holland, the report concerning so many thousand 
hungry and perishing Reformed, young and old, 

^ Rev. Muhlenberg says £20,000, to which amount it seems 
to have been swelled in 1754, when he makes the statement. 
See Hal. Nach., pp. 686, 687. 

2 In the strife occasioned in the congregation of Philadelphia 
by the intrusion of Rev. Steiner. 



264 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was printed, and, in a short time, a large fund was 
established. An excellent English preacher in 
Holland, named Thomson, translated this report 
into English, and published it in England and 
Scotland. After having attended to this matter, 
Mr. Schlatter returned to this country, and brought 
with him six young preachers free of expense. In 
the meantime, this publication, translated into 
English, was commended to the Proprietarj^ Mr. 
Peun, Esq., who now found convenient time to 
carry out the project. He, Mr. Penn, as I have 
been here informed, handed in a memorial to His 
Majesty, upon which His Majesty immediately 
gave one thousand pounds sterling. Her High- 
ness, the Princess of Wales, eight hundred pounds 
sterling, and other of the dignitaries also as much, 
so that, in a short time, quite a good fund had 
flowed together. Now, when the sad condition of 
things in this country had made it necessary for 
Mr. Schlatter to visit Europe, he was provided 
with recommendations from our government, and 
was very aftectionately received in London by the 
Proprietary ; and the Rectorship over the Germans, 
with a fixed annual salary, was bestowed upon 
him. And as Mr. Schlatter had specified the 
places where the English and German free schools 
would, first of all, be most needed, a writing from 
the Directors in London was received here, in 
which our Governor, Judge Allen, Land Secretary 
Peters, Messrs. Turner, Eranklin, and Conrad 
"Weiser, were appointed and confirmed as Trustees 
and Managers to establish the free schools in York- 



SCHLATTER A^^D THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 265 

town, Lancaster, Readingtown, New Hanover, 
Skippach, and Gosbenhoppen, and to render Mr. 
Schlatter all possible assistance and support. In 
this writing, among other things, it is ordained 
that, at all times, from four to six j'oung persons 
of talent from these free schools should have the 
privilege of going to the University of Oxford, 
there to stud}^ and afterwards to serve their 
Fatherland, From this, it may be seen that the 
noble patrons are earnestly intent on preparing 
our Germans to become faithful subjects and good 
members of the Church, which is highly proper."^ 
As Mr. Schlatter was the main originator of 
this school-scheme ; as a proper knowledge of it is 
necessary to aid us in understanding his general 
spirit ; and as he spent a part of his life in its 
management in the office of Superintendent; it is 
proper here to present a full account of its charac- 
ter, as it was laid before the public by its Board 
of Officers, in 1755.^^ 

" A brief history of the rise and progress of the 
charitable society, carrying on by a society of 
noblemen and gentlemen in London, for the relief 
and instruction of poor Germans and their de- 
scendants, settled in Pennsylvania, &c., published 
for the information of those whom it may concern, 
by James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Pe- 

• Hal. Nach., pp. 660, 661, 

^ This interesting document was published in pamphlet 
form, and also in the " Pennsylvania Gazette" of Feb. 25th, 
1755. We quote it from "Rupp's Hist, of Berks and Lebanon 
Counties," pp. 99-109, 
23 



266 LIFE AND LABOllS OF SCHLATTER. 

ters, Benjamin Franklin, and Conrad Weiser, 
Esquires, and the Rev. William Smith, Trustees 
General, appointed for the management of the 
said charitable scheme. 

For several years past, the small number of 
Reformed Protestant ministers, settled among the 
German emigrants in Pennsylvania, and finding 
the harvest great, but the laborers few, have been 
deeply afi^ected with a true Christian concern for 
the welfare of their distressed countrymen and the 
salvation of their precious souls. In consequence 
of this, they have, from time to time, in the most 
solemn and moving manner, entreated the churches 
of Holland to commiserate their unhappy fellow 
Christians, who mourn under the deepest affliction, 
being settled in a remote corner of the world, 
where the light of the Gospel has but lately reached, 
and where the}^ are very much destitute of the 
means of knowledge and salvation. 

The churches of Holland, being accordingly 
moved with friendly compassion, did, from time to 
time, contribute to the support of religion in these 
remote parts. But in the year 1751, a very mov- 
ing representation of their state having been made 
by a person whose unwearied labors for the benefit 
of his dear countrj^men have been for some years 
conspicuous, the states of Holland and West Fris- 
land granted 2000 guilders 'per annum, for five 
years from that time, to be applied towards the 
instruction of the said Germans and their children 
in Pennsylvania. A considerable sum was also 
collected in the city of Amsterdam and elsewhere, 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 267 

and upon a motion made by the same zealous 
person, the Rev. Mr. Thomson' was commissioned 
by the Sjmod of Holland and Classis of Amster- 
dam to solicit the friendly assistance of the churches 
of England and and Scotland. 

When Mr. Thomson arrived in Great Britain, 
he found the readiest encouragement among per- 
sons of the first rank, both in Church and State. 
It is the peculiar glory of the British government, 
equally to consult the happiness of all who live 
under it, however remote, wherever born, or of 
whatsoever denomination. Wicked and inhuman 
tyrants, whose ambition is to rule over slaves, find 
it their interest to keep the people ignorant. But, 
in a virtuous and free government like that of 
Great Britain the case is far otherwise. By its 
very nature and spirit, it desires every member of 
the community enlightened with useful knowledge, 
and especially the knowledge of the blessed Gos- 
pel, which contains the best and most powerful 
motives for making good subjects as well as good 
men. Considered in this light, Mr. Thomson's 
design could not fail to be encouraged in our 
mother country, since it was evidently calculated 
to save a multitude of most industrious people 
from the gloom of ignorance, and qualify them for 
the enjoyment of all those privileges, to which it 
is now their good fortune to be admitted, in com- 
mon with the happy subjects of a free Protestant 
government. 

* Mr. T. is a minister of one of the English churches in Am- 
sterdam, and a member of said Synod and Classis. 



268 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Mr. Thomson having thus made his business " 
known in England, and prepared the way for 
encouragement there, he, in the meantime, went 
down to Scotland ; and, himself being known in 
that country, he represented the case to the Gene- 
ral Assembly of the Church, then sitting at Edin- 
burgh, upon which a national collection was made, 
amounting to upwards of .£1200 sterling. Such 
an instance of generosity is one out of many, to 
show how ready that Church has always been to 
contribute towards the advancement of Truth, 
Virtue, and Freedom. 

Mr. Thomson, upon his return from Scotland, 
found that his pastoral duty called him back to 
Holland. He saw likewise that it would be abso- 
lutely necessary to have some person in London, 
not only to manage the moneys already collected, 
but also to solicit and receive the contributions of 
the rich and the benevolent in England, where 
nothing had yet been collected, and where much 
might be hoped for. "With this view, he begged a 
certain number of noblemen^ and gentlemen of the 



' The first members of this society were as follows, though 
we believe several are added this winter, (1755,) whose names 
have not yet been transmitted to us. 

The Right Hon. Earl of Shaftesbury, Earl of Morton, Earl 
of Finlater, and Lord Willoughby, of Parhara. Sir Luke 
Schaub, and Sir Joshua Van Neck, Baronets. Mr. Commis- 
5>ion Vernon, Mr. Chitly, and Mr. Fluddyer, Aldermen of Lon- 
don. John Banco, Robert Ferguson, and Nathaniel Paice, 
Esqrs., of London. Rev. Benjamin Avory, L.L. D., Rev. 
Thomas Birch, D.D., Rev. Mr. Caspar Wetstein, Rev. Mr. 
David Thomson, and Rev. Samuel Chandler, Secretary. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 269 

first rank to take the management of the design 
upon themselves. 

This proposal was readily agreed to by those 
noble and worthy persons. They were truly con- 
cerned to find that there were any of their fellow- 
subjects, in any part of the British dominions, not 
fully provided with the means of knowledge and 
salvation. They considered it a matter of the 
greatest importance to the cause of Christianity in 
general, and the Protestant interest in particular, 
not to neglect such a vast body of useful people, 
situated in a dark and barren region, with almost 
none to instruct them or their helpless children, 
who are coming forward in the world in multi' 
tudes, and exposed an easy prey to the total igno- 
rance of their savage neighbors on the one hand, 
and the corruption of our Jesuitical enemies, on 
whom they border, on the other hand ; and of 
whom there are always, perhaps, too many mixed 
among them. Moved by these interesting con- 
siderations, the said noblemen and gentlemen, 
with a consideration peculiar to great and generous 
souls, did accordingly take the good design into 
their immediate protection, and formed themselves 
into a society for the efifectual management of it. 

The first thing said society did, was to agree to 
a liberal subscription among themselves ; and, 
npon laying the case before the king. His Majesty, 
like a true father of his people, granted <£1000 
towards it. Her Royal Highness, the Princess 
Dow^ager of Wales, granted ^100 ; aud the honor- 
able proprietors of this province, willing to concur 
23 - 



270 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

in every design for the ease and welfare of their 
people, generously engaged to give a considerable 
snm 3'earl3^ for promoting the most essential part 
of the undertaking. From such a fair beginning, 
and from some hopes they reasonably entertain of 
a more public nature, the honorable doubt not of 
their being able to complete such a fund as may 
efiectually answer their pious design, in time 
coming. In the meantime, they have come to the 
following general resolutions with regard to the 
ixmnagement of the whole. 

I. To assist the people in the encouragement of 
pious and industrious Protestant ministers that 
are or shall be regularly ordained and settled 
among the said Germans, or their descendants, in 
America ; beginning first in Pennsylvania, where 
the want of ministers is greatest, and proceeding 
to the neighboring British colonies, as they shall 
be enabled by an increase of their funds. 

II. To establish some charitable schools for the 
pious education of German youths of all denomi- 
nations, as well as those English youths who may 
reside among them. Now, as a religious education 
of youth, while the tender mind is yet open to 
every impression, is the most effectual means of 
making a people ^vise, virtuous^ and happy, the 
honorable society have declared that they have 
this part of their design, in a particular manner, at 
heart; it being chiefly from the care that shall be 
taken of the rising generation, that they expect 
the success of their whole undertaking. 

III. The said honorable society, considering 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 271 

that they reside at too great a distance, either to 
know what ministers deserve their encouragement, 
or what places are most convenient to fix the 
schools in ; and as they would neither hestow their 
bounty on any who do not deserve it; therefore, 
they have devolved the general execution of the 
whole upon us, under the name of Trustees General, 
for the management of their charity among the 
German emigrants in America. And as our resi- 
dence is in this province, where the chief body is 
settled, and where we may acquaint them with the 
circumstances of the people, the generous society 
hope that we cannot be imposed upon or deceived 
in the direction or application of their excellent 
charity. 

TV. And lastly, considering that our engage- 
ments in other matters would not permit us per- 
sonally to consult with the people in the country, 
nor to visit the schools as often as it might be 
necessary for their success, the honorable society 
have, out of their true fatherly care, appointed the 
Rev. Mr. Schlatter, to act under our direction, as 
Visitor or Supervisor of the schools, knowing that 
he has already taken incredible pains in this whole 
alFair, and being acquainted with the people in all 
parts of the country, can converse with them on 
the spot, and bring us the best advices from time 
to time, concerning the measures fit to be taken. 

This is a brief history of the rise and progress 
of this noble work of charity, till it was committed 
to our management, under which we hope it shall 
be so conducted, as fully to answer the expectation 



272 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of the worthy society, and give all reasonable 
satisfaction to the parties for whose benefit it is 
intended. "We shall spare no pains to inform our- 
selves of the wants and circumstances of the people ; 
as will appear by the following plan which we have 
concerted for the general examination of our trust, 
leaving room to alter or amend it, as circumstances 
shall require, and time discover defects in it. 

With regard to that part of the society's design 
wdaich proposes the encouragement of pious pro- 
testant ministers, w^e shall impartially proportion 
the moneys set apart for this purpose, according to 
the instruction of the said society, as soon as such 
ministers shall put it in our power so to do, by 
making their labors and circumstances known to 
us, either by their own personal application, or by 
means of Mr. Schlatter, or any other creditable 
person. 

As to the important article of establishing 
schools, the following general plan is proposed, ' 
which may be from time to time, improved or per- 
fected. 

1st. It is intended that every school to be opened 
upon this charity, shall be equally to the benefit of 
protestant youth of all denominations ; and there- 
fore, the education wall be in such things as are 
generally useful to advance industry and true god- 
liness. The youth will be instructed in both the 
English and German languages, likewise in writing, 
keeping of common accounts, singing of Psalms, 
and the true principles of the holy protestant 
religion, in the same manner as the fathers of those 



SCHLATTER AND THE CIIAllITY SCHOOLS. 273 

Germans were instructed, at the schools in those 
countries from which they came. 

2dly. As it may be of great service to rehgion 
and industry, to have some schools for girls, also, 
we shall use our endeavors with the honorable 
society, to have some few school-mistresses encour- 
aged, to teach reading, and the use of the needle. 
And though this was no part of the original design, 
yet as the society have nothing but the general 
good of .all at heart, we doubt not they will extend 
their benefaction for this charitable purpose also. 

odlj. That all may be induced, in their early 
youth, to seek the knowledge and love of God, in 
that manner which is most agreeable to their own 
conscience, the children of all protestant denomi- 
nations, English and Dutch, (German) shall be 
instructed in catechism of sound doctrine, which 
is approved of and used by their own parents and 
ministers. All unreasonable sort of compulsion 
and partiality is directly opposite to the design 
and spirit of this cJiaritij, which is generously 
undertaken to promote useful knowledge, true 
religion, public peace, and Christian love, among 
all ranks and denominations. 

4thly. For the use of the schools, the several 
catechisms that are now taught among the Calvin- 
ists, Lutherans, and other protestant denomina- 
tions, will be printed in English and Dutch, 
(German) and distributed among the poor, together 
with some other good books, at the expense of the 
society. 

5thly. In order that all parents may be certain 



274 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of having justice done to their children, the imme- 
diate care and inspection of every school will be 
committed to a certain number of sober and 
respectable persons, living near the place where 
every such school shall be fixed. These persons 
will be denominated Assistants or Deputy Trustees ;' 
and it will be their business, monthly or quarterly, 
to visit that particular school for which they are 
appointed, and see that both master and scholars 
do their duty. It wdll also be their business to 
send an account of the state and progress of the 
schools, at ever}^ such visitation, to us as Trustees 
General. These accounts we shall transmit from 
Philadelphia to the society in London ; and the 
society will from time to time be enabled, by these 
means, to lay the state of the whole schools before 
the public ; and thus charitable and well-disposed 
people, both in Great Britain .and Holland, seeing 
the good use that has been made of their former 
contributions, will be inclined to give still more 
and more for so glorious and benevolent an under- 
taking. 

This method cannot fail to be of great advantage 
to the schools, since the Deputy Trustees, being 
part of the very people for whom the work is 
undertaken, and having their own children at the 
same schools, they must have an interest in the 
reputation of them, and do all in their power to 
advance good education in them. Besides this, 
being always near at hand, they can advise and 
encourage the master, and help him:.over any 
difficulties he may meet with. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 275 

But, 6thly. As the keeping up a spirit of emula- 
tion among the youth is the life of all schools, 
therefore, that we may leave as little room as 
possible for that remissness, which sometimes hurts 
charities of this nature, we shall, as far as our 
situation will permit, have a personal regard to the 
execution of the whole. As the Assistant Trustees 
may often want our advice in removing difficulties 
and making new regulations, we shall so contrive 
it, that Mr. Schlatter shall be present with them 
at their quarterly meetings, to consult with them, 
and concert the proper measures to be taken. 
Besides this, we shall have one general visitation 
of the whole schools every year, at which one or 
more of us shall endeavor to be present. On these 
occasions, such regulations shall be made as may 
be wanted; and careful inquiry will be made 
whether any parents think themselves injured, by 
any unjust exclusion of their children from an 
equal benefit of the common charity, or by the 
partiality of the masters or otherwise. At such 
visitations, books will be given as rewards and 
encouragement, to the diligent and deserving 
scholars. The masters will likewise have proper 
marks of esteem shown them in proportion to 
their fidelity and industry in the discarge of their 
office. 

Tthly. AVith regard to the number of schools to 
be opened, that will depend partly on the encour- 
agement given by the people themselves, and partly 
on the increase of the society's funds. A consider- 
able number of places are proposed to fix schools 



276 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

in ; but none are yet absolutely determined upon, 
but K'ew Hanover, [N'ew Providence, and Reading.' 
These places were first fixed upon, because the 
people of all persuasions, Lutherans, Calvinists, 
and other Protestants, moved with a pious and 
fatherly concern for the illiterate state of their 
helpless children, did, with true Christian harmony, 
present their petitions, praying that their numerous 
children of all denominations in these parts, might 
be made the common object of the intended 
charity. And for this benevolent purpose, they 
did further agree to ofifer school-houses in which 
their children might be instructed together, as dear 
fellow Christians, redeemed by the same common 
Lord and Saviour, and travelling to the same 
heavenly country, through this valley of tears, not- 
withstanding they may sometimes take roads a 
little difierent in points of smaller moment. 

This striking example of unanimity and good 
agreement among all denominations, we hope 
will be imitated by those who shall afterwards 
apply to us for fixing schools among them ; since 
it is only upon the aforesaid generous plan for the 
common benefit of all, that we find ourselves 

* Since the original publication, petitions have been sent to 
the Trustees General, from Upper Solfort, from Vincent town- 
ship, in Chester county, from the borough of Lancaster, from 
Tulpehocken, and several other places, all -which will be con- 
sidered as soon as possible. Feb. 25, 1755. — Penna. Gazette. 

Note. — Schools were also established in 175G, besides 
the places mentioned, at Lancaster, York, and several other 
places. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 277 

empowered to institute such schools. But while 
the petitions are agreeable to this, our plan, as 
now explained, they will not be overlooked, as 
long as the funds continue. And if the petitioners 
shall recommend schoolmasters, as was the case at 
I^ew Hannover, 'New Providence, and Reading, 
such schoolmasters will have the preference, pro- 
vided they are men of sufficient probity and know- 
ledge, agreeable to all parties, and acquainted with 
both the English and Dutch (German) languages, 
or willing to learn either of these languages, which 
they may not then be perfectly acquainted with. 

These are essential qualifications; and unless 
the generous society had made provision for teach- 
ing English as well as Dutch, (German) it would 
not have answered their benevolent design, which 
is to qualify the Germans for all the advantages of 
native English subjects. But this could not have 
been done, without giving them an opportunity of 
learning English, by speaking of which they may 
expect to rise to places of profit and honor in the 
country. They will likewise be thereby enabled 
to bu}" or sell to the greater advantage in our 
markets, to understand their own causes in courts 
of justice, where pleadings are in English, to know 
what is doing in the country around them, and, in 
a word, to judge and act entirely for themselves, 
without being obliged to take things upon the 
word of others, whose interest it may be to deceive 
and mislead them. 

We have only further to add, that having thus 
published, in our names, a true and faithful account 
24 



278 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of the rise and progress of this excellent charity, 
down to the present time, we hope it will candidly 
be received as such, and prevent many wrong con- 
jectures and insinuations, that might otherwise 
have been made, if we had not given this genuine 
and necessary information concerning it. From 
the foregoing plan it plainly appears, that as the 
chief management is in the people themselves, it 
must be entirely their own faults, if these schools 
do not become the greatest blessing to many gene- 
rations, that ever was proposed in this country. 
Such, and so benevolent are the designs of this 
new society ! 

And surely, now, we may be permitted in their 
name, to address you, countrymen and fellow 
Christians, for whose benefit the great work is 
undertaken ! We cannot but entreat you to con- 
sider of what importance such a scheme must be 
to you, and your children after you. We are 
unwilling to believe that there are any persons 
w^ho do not heartily wisb success to a design so 
•pious and benevolent. But, if, unhappily for them- 
selves, there should be any such among us, we are 
bound in charity to suppose they have never yet 
reflected that, whilst they indulge such wishes, 
they are in fact acting a part, plainly repugnant 
to the interests of liberty, true religion, and even 
of human nature. 

Mankind in general are, perhaps, scarcely raised 
more by their nature above the brutes, than a man 
well instructed above the man of no knowledge or 
education ; and whoever strives to keep a people 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 279 

in ignorance, must certainly harbor notions or 
designs that are unfixvorable, either to their civil 
or religious liberty. For whilst a people are 
incapable of knowing their own interests, or 
judging for themselves, they cannot be governed 
by free principles, or by their own choice ; and 
though they should not be immediate slaves of the 
government under which they live, yet they must 
be slaves or dupes to those whose counsels they are 
obliged to have recourse to, and follow blindly on 
all occasions, which is the most dishonorable 
species of slavery. 

But on the other hand, a design for instructing 
a people, and adorning the minds of their children 
with useful knowledge, can carry nothing in it but 
what is friendly to liberty, and auspicious to all 
the most sacred interests of mankind. 

Were it otherwise, why are so many of the 
greatest and best men, both of the British and the 
German nations, engaged in the undertaking? 
Why have they, as it were, stooped from their high 
spheres, and even condescended to beg from house 
to house, in order to promote it ! Is not all this done 
with the glorious intention of relieving you from 
distressful ignorance that was like to fall upon you ? 
Is it not done with a view to call you up to all the 
advantages of free and enlightened subjects, capa- 
ble of thinking and acting for yourselves ? And 
shall they call you in vain ? God forbid ! If, by 
any infatuation, you should neglect the means of 
knowledge and eternal happiness now offered you, 
think seriously what must be the consequence. 



280 LIFE AND LABOKS OF SCHLATTER. 

You will be accountable in the sight of Almighty 
God, not only for your own sad negligence, but 
for all that misery and slavery which you may 
thereby entail upon your hapless ofispring to the 
latest generations. Your very names will be held 
in abhorrence by your own children, if, for the 
want of instruction, their privileges should either 
be abridged here, or they should fall a prey to the 
error and slavery of our restless enemies. 

But, on the contrary, if proper instructions are 
begun now, and constantly carried on among you, 
no design can ever be hatched against your reli- 
gion or liberties, but what you shall quickly be 
able to discover and defeat. All the arts of your 
enemies will be of no avail to sever you from your 
true interests as men and as Protestants. You 
shall know how to make the true use of all your 
noble privileges, and instead of moving in a dry 
and barren land, where no water is, you and your 
posterity shall flourish from age to age, in all that 
is valuable in human life. A barren region shall 
be turned into a fruitful country, and a thirsty 
land into pools of w^ater. The wilderness and 
solitary place shall be glad through you, and the 
desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Isa. 35. 

That you may soon be placed in these happy 
circumstances, shall be our continual endeavor, as 
it is our sincere prayer. But if ever you hope to 
be so, or to transmit the glorious privileges of 
Protestants and Freemen to your posterity, we 
must observe, that in this time of danger, (when a 
Popish enemy has advanced far into our country, 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 281 

even to your very doors,) it becomes you to be 
extremely jealous for your safety. It becomes you 
to exert yourselves for the calm enjoyment of that 
religion, for the sake of which you crossed the 
stormy ocean and encountered the horrors of the 
desert. It becomes you to secure your children 
the full and free possession of these fair seats, 
which your own hands have formed out of the vast 
wilderness. "Whatever unfavorable notions you 
may apprehend the government at home may 
have fallen into concerning j^our conduct, on 
account of the great distance, you may now be 
sure, that while you do your duty as good subjects, 
we shall at all times present you in the most 
impartial light to the honorable Society of Lon- 
don ; and as this Society consists of some of the 
best and greatest men of the English nation, who 
have generously taken you and all your concerns 
under their protection, they will always be glad to 
receive you in kind and acceptable terms, to the 
countenance of our most gracious Sovereign. 
By order, and in behalf of the Trustees General. 

William Smith, Secretary. 
FhiladelpJiia, Feb. 25th, ITSS/' 

Such was the basis of this scheme of charity 
schools, of which Mr. Schlatter was to have the 
supervision, laboring first for its introduction 
where it seemed most needed, and then visiting 
and watching over the schools so established. 

It was felt also that for its successful introduc- 
tion and advancement the influence of the press 
24* 



282 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was necessary. The society determined to estab- 
lish a press, and publish a paper, to be devoted to 
the service of the scheme. "A press for the Ger- 
man language was established in Philadelphia city 
as early as 1755, and probably before that time, at 
the expense of a society in London, formed for the 
benevolent purpose of promoting religious know- 
ledge among the German emigrants in Pennsyl- 
vania. School-books and religious tracts in the 
German language were printed at this press ; and, 
in order to convey, with the greater facility, poli- 
tical and other information to the German citizens, 
a newspaper was published at the establishment. 
It w^as printed by Anthony Armbruster. The Re- 
verend Dr. William Smith, Provost of the college 
at Philadelphia, was agent for the English Society, 
and had the direction of the press and of the news- 
paper."^ This paper was continued for some years ; 
as we find it still in existence in 1758,^ and was the 
means of bringing its editor into some trouble as 
we shall hereafter see. 

These schools were to be conducted, as will be 
seen, on strictly religious principles. Not only 
were the schoolmasters to instruct the youth " in 

' Thomas's History of Printing. See also Colonial Records, 
vol. viii. p. 439. Here Mr. Smith is mentioned as " being one 
of the Trustees under an honorable private society in London, 
for maintaining charity schools to instruct Germans in Penn- 
sylvania ; and to that end, having the care and direction of 
a printing-press to furnish them with a newspaper and other 
matters in their own language." 

2 Col. Records, vol. viii. p. 439. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 283 

catechisms of sound doctrine," in "singing of 
Psalms, and the true principles of the holy Pro- 
testant religion," but ministers were also employed 
to give still more decidedly religious instruction. 
" Twelve Calvinist ministers," says Rev. Chandler 
of London, in his Report 1760, " are employed as 
catechists to instil into their youthful minds the 
doctrines of our Reformed religion, for which ser- 
vice £107 sterling have been appropriated, each 
one receiving the portion due to his merits, as de- 
termined by our American Directors." These 
twelve were German Reformed ministers. There 
is an allusion to this rendering of service by Rev. 
John TValdschmidt, President of Coetus in the 
year 1759. In transmitting the acts of Coetus to 
Holland, he addSj at the close of his letter: ''Last 
year we made no mention of the bounty of the 
London Society, nor sent a list. At the time our 
Coetus met, during the past year, we had received 
nothing ; and immediately after, the Rev. Professor 
Smith, the Secretary of the Board of Directors, 
having gone to England, was prevented from 
giving the annual charity to some of us. Never- 
theless, this year, he paid each of us both what 
remained and the usual annuity. But the amounts 
for the two years past were just the same as in the 
beginning: except that Rev. Alsentz, who was 
added to our number, and thus became a sharer 
in the bounty of the most noble London Society 
in the sum of eight pounds per annum, Pennsyl- 
vania currency." 
It may seem strange that the civil authorities of 



284 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

England, devoted to the English Church, should 
take such an interest in the religious education of 
Protestants differing so widely from them in some 
points. To explain this it must be remembered, 
that while these donors give abundant evidence of 
true Christian feeling, they were also actuated 
very largely by political considerations. The evi- 
dence on which this remark rests will appear as 
our history progresses. 

It was very early feared that the immense emi- 
gration of Germans into Pennsylvania might give 
them an influence that needed to be watched by 
those in civil power. In 1727, Hon. James Logan 
suggested the propriety of restraining these emi- 
grations ; and expresses his fears that if it is not 
done ''these colonies will, in time, be lost to the 
crown !" He was a true prophet. In another let- 
ter he says, " the numbers from Germany at this 
rate will soon produce a German colony here, and 
perhaps such a one as Britain once received from 
Saxony in the fifth century."^ 

Still later, before and after ike year 1750, the 
political importance and influence of the Germans 
was much felt by the civil authorities, and they 
were much spoken of in the publications of the 



1 AVatson's Annals of Philadelphia, vol. ii. p. 255. — A book 
that contains a rich fund of intensely interesting historical 
matter pertaining to the "olden time." How often have we 
inwardly thanked the author for these "quaint and curious 
vohimes of half-forgotten lore." Their charm will increase, 
instead of diminishing, as the early history of our State fades 
back into the dim distant past. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 285 

day. The anti-war and peace-loving Quakers 
having the control in the Provincial Assembly, 
the governors found it difficult to carry such mea- 
sures as their fears caused them to regard neces- 
sary in the way of military safeguards against the 
molestations and encroachments of the French. 
Various attempts were made to change the cha- 
racter of the Assembly by keeping out the Quakers. 
But the Germans in their quiet rural retreats, and 
naturally averse to war, sympathized with their 
peace-loving neighbors, and lent their influence to 
keep the Quakers in power. Mr. C. Saurs, who 
published a very widely circulated German paper, 
favored the cause of the Friends, and influenced 
the Germans in their favor. "From such causes," 
says Mr. Wharton in 1755, " they came down in 
shoals to vote, and carry all before them. The bad 
eflfects of these successes of the Germans will pro- 
bably be felt through many generations ! Instead 
of a peaceable, industrious people as before, they 
are now grown insolent, sullen and turbulent, — in 
some counties threatening even the lives of all who 
oppose their views, because they are taught to re- 
gard government and slavery as one and the same 
thing. All who are not of their party they call 
' Governor's men,' and themselves they deem 
strong enough to make the country their own ! 
Indeed, they come in in such force, say upwards 
of five thousand in the last year, I see not but they 
may soon be able to give us law and language too, or 
else, by joining the French, eject all the English."^ 

* See Watson's Annals, vol. ii. p. 256. 



286 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

The espousal of the side of the Friends on the 
part of the Germans, exposed them to suspicion 
and misrepresentations in another direction. Thej 
were accused of having Romanizing tendencies. 
It was published in English journals, that hosts of 
Jesuit priests had been sent in among them by the 
French, to win them to the Romish faith, and thus 
to the side of the French, and that great success 
was attending these proselyting efforts. These 
reports even reached the ears of the Fathers in 
Holland, awakening their earnest solicitations for 
the firm Protestantism of the American brethren ; 
and causing them to make speedy inquiry into the 
truth or falsehood of the rumor. This called forth 
a prompt repl}^ from Coetus through Rev. William 
Stoy, in 1756: ^'Moreover, from your letters. 
Venerable Fathers, especially from those of the 
Classis, we perceive that our condition has been 
exhibited to you under an exceedingly sad and 
gloomy aspect, on account of the Papists rushing 
in hither. Whence that rumor comes, we do not 
know ; but be assured it is utterly false. None of 
us are acquainted with many priests, and no one 
on these shores passes over readily to the camps 
of the priests. In Europe, it is often done for the 
sake of advantage ; but in these lands, no advan- 
tage accrues to apostates. We know of only one 
Jesuit in the whole of Pennsylvania. Of French 
Jesuits we know none at all; and they will not be 
endured so long as we have not to bear the French 
yoke. Indeed, what few Catholics there are here, 
by the use of the sacred Scriptures, which, for the 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 28T 

most part, the}- have in their hands as others, are 
rendered more inteUigent." This is the first time, 
so far as we know, that the German Reformed 
Church in America was called to account for 
supposed Komanizing tendencies. 

As early as 1754, we find an address sent in to 
Governor Morris, signed by thirty-one German 
ministers and laymen, with Mr. Schlatter at the 
head of the list, declaring their innocence against 
the false accusations " of some spirit, we will not 
determine what name to give him, 1 Kings, xxi. 
21, 22, who accused us very publicly, both here 
and in England." After expressing their great 
satisfaction with the "mild government," their 
gratitude for the many advantages they enjoy 
under its just administration, and referring to the 
fact that " not one single instance can be proved 
of disloyalty," they say with emphasis: "IIow, 
therefore, can any man of due reason think, much 
less say, that this same people were inclined to 
submit themselves again under a Romish slavery 
upheld by a French king?"^ 

' Archives of Penn., vol. ii,, p. 201, 202. See also p. 647. 
This address, with the Governor's reply, and an explanatory 
introduction, was published in German and English " to the 
intent," says Henry Autes, a prominent Reformed man, "that 
our Protestant country people might see all our reasons and 
motives to our action." In his reply, the Governor says : " I 
think this, your address, comes in ?l very needful and due 
time. I take it very well of you to offer your affectionate 
address to me at this time, in behalf of yourselves imd your 
countrymen. I can believe that you do not intend to join any 
foreign king, especially with the king of France, against the 



288 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

The letter which bore these reports to England, 
and which w^as published in the London Evening 
Advertiser^ and also afterwards printed in pamphlet 
form, was attributed to William Smith, Provost of 
the Philadelphia College, and Secretary of the 
Trustees of the Charity school fund. "He pro- 
posed to remedy all the evils of which he com- 
plained, by stripping the Quakers and their parti- 
sans, the Germans, of political influence." He 
suggested the passage by Parliament of certain 
acts, which remind one of another spirit than we 
wot of now, and which w^ere as well calculated to 
awaken indignation then, as the reading of them 
now is a source of amusement. The wisdom 
referred to, which w^as to be turned into law, runs 
thus: "1. That all members of Assembly should 
take the oaths of allegiance, and subscribe a decla- 
ration that they would not refuse to defend their 
country against His Majesty's enemies." Which 
would at once have cleared the Assembly of 
Quakers, who are conscientiously opposed to oaths 
and war. " 2. That the right of the Germans to 
vote for members of Assembly should be suspended 
until they had acquired a competent knowledge of 
the English language and the Provincial Constitu- 

tender government of Great Britain. And as there have been 
reports spread against your country people to that effect, both 
here and in England, I -^ill do my best endeavor to deface the 
same, both in England and here, and promise also to protect 
your German Protestants by the privileges of this Province to 
the utmost of my power, and hope that my administration in 
this government will be to the glory of God and the public 
welfare." See J. D. Rupp, in Ger. Ref. Mess. Oct. 18, 1848. 



SCHLATTER AND TIIK CHARITY SCHOOLS, 289 

tion ;" which shows that the knowledge of English 
is absolutely necessary to correct voting. " 3. That 
Protestants, ministers, and schoolmasters, should 
be settled among them, to reduce them into 
regular congregations; to instruct them in the 
nature of free government, the purity and value 
of the Protestant faith ; and to bind them to the 
province by a common language, and the conscious- 
ness of a common interest." Which shows that 
the writer had quite as much need of instruction 
"in the nature of free government" as those for 
w^hose interests he seeks such arbitrary legislation. 
"4. That all law-writings should be void, unless 
made in the English tongue ;" which shows either 
that he did not wish them to understand these 
writings, or was desirous of stimulating them to 
learn the orthodox English tongue. " 5. That no 
newspapers, almanacs, or other periodical paper, 
written in a foreign language, should be printed 
or pubhshed, unless accompanied by an English 
version ;" which crowns this series of nonsensical 
propositions. "6. That further importations of 
Germans should be prohibited ;" which shuts down 
the gates to prevent farther evil ! 

It is scarcely necessary to say that Parliament 
did not entertain the ridiculous propositions of this 
document. Having been laid before the provincial 
Legislature, "they voted that it contained wicked 
calumnies against numbers of sober and valuable 
inhabitants, and infamous, libellous, false, and 
scandalous assertions against the two branches of 
the Legislature." Smith was arrested, and brouo-ht 
25 



290 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

before the house ; and want of sufficient proof 
that he was the author of the letter — though all 
believed him guilty — alone prevented severe meas- 
ures being taken against him.^ 

Mr. Smith also published matter in the German 
newspaper devoted to the furtherance of the charity 
school scheme, which proved offensive to the 
Assembly.^ One object in view in the establish- 
ment of this paper, as we have seen, was "to 
convey, with greater facility, jwlitical and other 
information to the German citizens." This "po- 
litical information" was of course such as favored 
the "governor's party" against the policy of the 
Assembl}^ ; showing plainly how this " charity" 
was made to hide under it a multitude of political 
considerations. 

We find, too, that Mr. Wharton, of Philadelphia, 
in 1755, proposes that the "wrong bias" and the 
general " stubborn genius and ignorance" of the 
Germans " be softened by education," and to this 
end, he proposes " that faithful Protestant ministers 
and schoolmasters should be supported among 
them." Still farther, coinciding fully it seems 
with the wisdom of Mr. Smith, he thinks " their 
children should be taught the English tongue ; 
the government in the meantime should suspend 
the right of voting for members of Assembly ; and 
to incline them the sooner to become English in 
education and feeling, we should compel them to 

1 See Gordon's Hist, of Penna., p. 228, 229. See also Hazard's 
Register, vol. i., p. 177. 

2 Watson's Annals, vol. ii. 256, 257. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 291 

make all bonds and other legal writings in English ; 
and allow no newspaper or almanac to be circu- 
lated among them, unless also accompanied by the 
English thereof."^ 

These arc sufficient indices of the general feeling 
at the time, reigning in the minds of certain legal 
leaders, to enable us to understand at least one 
element that lay at the foundation of this charit}^ 
school scheme. Instead of resorting to such harsh 
and oppressive measures as those suggested by 
Smith and Wharton, it was more wisely concluded 
to secure the influence of the Germans, by such 
mild measures of kindness as those manifested in 
getting up the school fund. So far as it was 
policy, the English and the Proprietary govern- 
ments could not well have hit upon one more 
likely to succeed than to fall in with the benevolent 
labors of Holland and other parts of the continent, 
in laboring for the religious education of the 
Germans. ISTor could they have committed the 
superintendency to better hands than those of Mr. 
Schlatter, who was at the time the ruling spirit in 
the Reformed church in this country, and whose 
influence was highly important to a successful 
prosecution of tho work. 

Paul says: "Every way, whether in pretence or 
iu truth, Christ is preached, I therein do rejoice, 
yea, and will rejoice." In like manner, may we 
rejoice in this school scheme ; for though it was a 
false alarm that opened the way for the success of 
Schlatter's appeal into England, and the greater 

^ Sec Col. Kecords, vol. viii. pp. 11-17. 438. 



292 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

part of the funds was contributed from motives of 
political advantage, in answer to the alarm of 
lying prophets, yet under the guidance of that 
w^onderful Providence which always educes good 
from evil, it was made a blessing to thousands of 
Germans in Pennsylvania. 

The spirit of political policy in which this scheme 
rested, and which it was ultimately to subserve 
according to the wishes of its English or British 
patrons, did not go undiscovered. Some sharp- 
sighted Germans, and chief among them was Mr. 
C. Saurs, the energetic Editor of the very influ- 
ential German paper published at Germantown, 
who, though much of a demagogue, was not 
always on the wrong side. He seems to have seen 
in it a scheme to strengthen the old party, which 
sought to banish Quaker influence from the pro- 
vincial Assembly, by winning the Germans to 
itself through benevolence and kindness. He set 
himself against it, as having been called into exist- 
ence by exaggerated representations of the igno- 
rance of the Germans,^ dishonorable to those who 

^ AYith reference, no doubt to Smith, Wharton, and perhaps 
to Chandler, all of whom spoke of the ignorance of the 
Germans in very sweeping terms, and represented them, on 
account of this, as dangerous to the government — an alarm 
for which there was little or no ground, as the Province had no 
citizens more peaceable — a suspicion, moreover, which would 
never have arisen, had not the votes of the Germans fallen on 
the side of the peace-loving Quakers. This was not the last 
time in the history of our country when those out of power 
saw that the country was in danger in the hands of those in 

2)01CC7\ 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 293 

made and believed the reports, and dishonoring 
those to whom they pertained. He saw, or thought 
he saw, in it a trick and a snare — he sounded the 
alarm with earnest German voice, and there were 
thousands of Germans in the Province who heard 
and believed his words.' Right or wrong, this 

^ See Col. Rec. vol. vii. 245. The following letter is also 
here in place, which, because it throws light on several points, 
we give entire. It was written in German — the translation 
has been made by J. D. Rupp, Esq., and published in Ger. Ref. 
Mess. Nov. 15th, 1848. 

" Germantown, Sept. 6th, 1755. 
Mr. Conrad Weiser : 

Beloved Friend : — Your acceptable letter I received by the 
bearer, and through him, have replied. Since then, it has 
occurred to me, whether it is truly so that Gilbert, Tennant, 
Schlatter, Peters, Hamilton, Turner, Shippen, Smith, Franklin, 
Muhlenberg, Brunnholtz, Ilandschuh, have the least regard for 
the Germans of Pennsylvania, as actually to seek to convert 
them ; or whether the establishing of free schools, is not 
rather designed to serve as a foundation upon which to 
establish the thraldom of the Germans, so that each of them 
may secure his propos grandeur, or own private interest. 

Touching Hamilton, Peters, Allen, Turner, Shippen, and 
Franklin, I know very well that they care little about religion, 
much less about improving the Germans ; no farther than the 
stupid Germans could be used as militia-men to protect their 
property. For such persons know not what faith is, or what 
it is to confide in God. Their wealth is their God ; and they 
are mortified that they cannot compel the people to protect their 
Gods, 

Tennant, indeed, may believe that his religion is the best: 

and, if he could by the aid of Schlatter bring it to pass, that 

the Germans would be obliged to support English preachers in 

Philadelphia, and aid in making polished men in Jersey, 

Tennant would gain honor, and Schlatter secure himself a 
or. ^ 



294 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

influence everywhere hindered the free introduction, 
and crippled the energies of the school scheme. 

livelihood. The Germans, to please their benefactors, would 
choose Hamilton, Peters, Shippen, Allen, Turner, etc., etc., to 
the Assembly. They, aided by R. H. M., would pass a militia 
law, establishing a regular soldiery — secure a fixed salary for 
ministers and schoolmasters. And then it will not be requisite, 
in future, to M'rite begging letters to Ilalle, of which they have 
afterwards to be ashamed, and be viewed as liars, if sent back 
to this country. Fiat! By this means every object is secured, 
and there is no better pretext than the^oor Germans I 

I reside here very publicly, and have an opportunity of 
hearing the opinions of many. One says: 'I am conscientious 
in regard to having my children taught at the expense of the 
public charity, because I do not stand in need of such aid, for 
I can pay myself.' Others say: 'Where so many different 
kinds of children meet, they mutually learn some evil things 
from each other, rather than good. I will teach my own 
children to read and write ; and I am sorry that other children 
should associate with mine.' Others again say : * If German 
children learn to speak English, and have intercourse with 
others, they then desire to be dressed according to English 
fashions ; and parents have a great deal of trouble to get such 
foolish whims out of their heads.' Some others say: 'We, 
the poor people, derive no advantage from the benefaction of 
the king and the Society ; for unless there be a school-house 
erected every ten miles apart, or a schoolmaster employed, it 
is no benefit to the poor ; for if a child has to go a greater 
distance than five miles to and from a school, the distance will 
be too great to go in the morning and return in the evening ; 
for poor people cannot afford to pay boarding for their children, 
and supply them with the necessary clothing so as to appear 
respectably among the higher classes in life ; consequently, 
these schools are intended for the wealthy only.' They would 
have the poor people petition still to their temporal and eternal 
injury. 

I have read an English book treating on the Principles of 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 295 

The opposition against this scheme seems to 
have been strongest among the Reformed, no 
doubt because it was introduced more immediately 
through this channel, and ostensibly under its 
auspices. Even Mr. Schlatter got into ill repute 
in some quarters, as it seems on account of his 
connection with it. 

An effort, made in the Spring of 1755, to esta- 
blish a school on the basis of this scheme at ;N"ew 
Hanover, now called the Trappe, furnishes a spe- 

Freemasonry, third edition, printed in England: in which I 
found principles adverse to the kingdom of Jesus Christ; yea, 
a complete prohibition of it: and the supporters of free schools 
are Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Deacons — supporters 
and pillars of Masonry. Do you believe they have anything 
else except their own interest in view ? 

If Mr. Zubly gainsays, I will then confess that I am in an 
error; for if they would wish to circumscribe the bounds of 
sectarianism, Zubly would form one exception to a thousand. 
But I fear you are afraid of them ; for the pamphlet contains 
a period which reads : * There is nothing, they [the Quakers) 
more fear than to see the Germans pay any regard to regular 
ministers. Whenever they know any such minister on good terms 
with his people, they immediately attack his character by means 
of this printer, and distress him by dividing his congregation, 
and encouraging vagabond and pretended preachers, whom they 
every noio and then raise up — this serves a double end J 

If I consider the foundation of Masonry, as contained in 
their writings, which a certain goldsmith, a Mason, lent to 
Siron, and he lent to me, I do not know how to estimate Prof. 
Smith's eulogy on the Author of the book entitled : ' The Life 
of God in the Love of Man,' except as something politically 
designed to answer a different purpose. May the Lord over- 
rule all to his honor. 

C. Saurs." 



296 LIFE AND LAEORS OF SCHLATTER. 

cimeii of this opposition. Eev. Mr. Muhlenberg, 
in a letter^ to Provost Smith, the Secretary of the 
Trustees of the school fund, says: "It is known 
that the chief members of our congregation in New 
Hanover Laid first of all their humble petition be- 
fore the Honorable Trustees General, offering their 
school-house in an impartial manner for a free- 
school according to the Charitable Scheme and 
plan ; for the children of every Protestant persua- 
sion. The Honorable Trustees pleased to answer, 
they w^ould generously comply with our request, 
and grant a free-school, provided the Calvinists 
would join with us, and send in their petition also. 
We had a public meeting with the Calvinist Mi- 
nisters and the Elders, and agreed handsomely as 
it seemed, and as by their underwritten petition, 
and my relation, plainly appears. Soon after our 
joining and agreeing, the Pev. Mr. Schlatter came 
up to I^ew Hanover and delivered a sermon re- 
lating to the Charitable Scheme. His people be- 
gan to whisper and murmur, and part of them say- 
ing: "they would have nothing to do with the 
free-school, if Mr. Schlatter had a hand in it." It 
was proposed to build a common school house 
under the rules of this scheme ; but the Reformed 
would not fall in with it. Meanw^hile the plan of 
the charitable scheme w^as printed and sent up by 
Mr. Schlatter. It was publicly read in the Pe- 

* See a copy of this Letter in Ger. Ref. Messenger, Nov. 8th, 
1848. The original is in the hands of J. D. Rupp, obtained 
from Rev. D. Weiser, of Goshenhoppen. 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 297 

formed congregation ; but " some of the Elders 
declared openly, that they would not meddle with 
the free-school, because Mr. Schlatter was to be 
the Supervisor." Rev. Mr. Leydich, then the Pas- 
tor of the German Reformed Church in that place, 
felt disposed to favor the project, and was willing 
that Mr. Schlatter, who proposed to come up to 
New Hannover and preach on the subject, should 
do so in the Reformed Church; but the Elders 
were sternly opposed, and said "that by no means 
the pulpit should be opened to Mr. Schlatter, or 
otherwise they would abuse him." Mr. Leydich, 
who was anxious to avoid trouble, and spare the 
feelings of Mr. Schlatter, requested Mr. Muhlen- 
berg to inform him of the circumstance, and re- 
quest him not to press his request. The Reformed 
farther said the^^ would decline all farther action 
in reference to the scheme till " they had sent let- 
ters to the Rev. Synods of Holland, and enquired 
w^hether they thought it advisable to meddle with 
this common scheme and plan ; and, moreover, 
they would send letters to England and enquire 
what man or person had represented the Germans 
so ignorant, black, and rebellious?" Mr. Muhlen- 
berg adds : " Since they have seen Mr. Saur's ob- 
servations in his newspapers, and the scandal and 
blame Mr. Saurs has imposed upon the innocent, 
charitable scheme, and the Rev. M. Schlatter, they 
are glad that their eyes are opened and have not 
meddled with the scheme, and blame me too, that 
I had a mind to ensnare them. The Elders of the 
Lutheran congregation and their chosen deputies 



298 LIFE AND LABOES OF SCHLATTER. 

are easy and have nothing to say against the Rev. 
M. Schlatter, Supervisor, and wait what the Hon- 
orable Trustees-general will determine in this 
matter." 

Mr. Muhlenberg intimates that this opposition 
springs, partly at least, from a feeling of wounded 
pride. In this he was no doubt correct. The 
Germans were incensed at the idea of being repre- 
sented in the Old and New world as ignorant, stub- 
born, rebellious and dangerous to the state; and 
at the same time, as proper subjects to be bribed 
and civilized by a foreign charity. It was, in a 
measure at least, a just indignation; and we feel 
disposed first to blame them somewhat for a lack 
of humilit}'-, and then to praise them more for their 
manliness and sense of honor. The Germans have 
been ignorant in some periods of their history, and 
so have all other nations ; but less perhaps than 
all others have they been children that could be 
bribed with small gifts and favors, or slaves ready 
to be sold to the highest bidder, to serve those 
who desired to use them for the purpose of fortify- 
ing themselves in position and power. 

Mr. Muhlenberg correctly argued that though 
some mio^ht not need the educational benefits of 
this charity, there were many poor children of the 
several denominations who did ; and that these 
ought not to be made losers by frustrating the 
scheme. But he asks in a spirit of sharpness to 
which he was not much given, " Should a parcel 
of whimsical heads have so much influence as to 
deprive a number of poor children of the intended 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 299 

cliarity? To give an offence to so many well- 
minded Germans in America? To provoke the 
Illustrious Society and the Honorable Trustees to 
just indignation? And to make a German print- 
er^ and his associates laugh and hollow? I think 
in my humble opinion, it be against the intention 
of the German benefactors and the charitable 
scheme to force and press the charitable gifts upon 
some people, of what denomination soever, who 
count themselves to be rich, and to have need of 
nothing." The writer's mistake consists in calling 
that whim, which we have seen was rather a prin- 
ciple; and in ascribing to a boasting spirit of 
pride and self-sufficiency that which evidently 
sprang from the honest belief that the whole 
scheme, as conducted, consciously by some and 
unconsciously b}^ others, was a bait and a bribe 
under the sacred name of charity. 

The Coetus, with the presence and influence of 
Mr. Schlatter in it, and having as yet seen no 
clear developments of sinister designs on the part 
of its managers, seem at first to have regarded 
this school scheme with favor and hope. They 
even felt disposed to counteract, so far as possible, 
the influence which Mr. Saurs was exerting against 
it. In the proceedings of Coetus held in Lancaster 
in April in the year 1755, it was resolved "to re- 
present to the Honorable Directors in the name of 
Coetus the unbecoming conduct of the Editor Saurs 
in Germantown, who is and remains, a constant 



He evidently refers to Saurs. 



o 



00 LIFE AND LABOllS OF SCHLATTER. 



enemy to the Protestant church assemblies, and so 
also of the New School institutions, and humbly 
ask whether the Honorable Directors, if it were 
possible, might not bethink themselves of some 
measures b}^ which to hinder him from frustrating 
this useful work, or in remaining a continual pre- 
judice to the Protestant religion." 

On the same occasion, they express themselves 
as expecting much good to be derived from this 
"praiseworthy undertaking." They resolve to 
send a letter of thanks to the general Trustees in 
Philadelphia. The Trustees had laid several ques- 
tions before them in writing, namely : " How many 
ministers, bej^ond those already in service, might 
yet be required, and w^here they are needed ? and 
also how many schoolmasters are needed, and in 
what places?" It seems also that the Trustees 
proposed to add something to the salary of each 
minister in such measure as he might need it and 
render service, no doubt b}^ catechising in the 
schools. Mr. Schlatter was requested, in the name 
of the ministers of Coetus, to answer the questions 
proposed by the Trustees, to confer w^ith them on 
this point, and conscientiously to represent the 
several circumstances of the ministers in reference 
to their proposal. 

The Trustees also inquired of Coetus whether 
one or two of the ministers would not be able and 
willing, besides their ordinary duties, also to take 
under their instruction several youths, who might 
afterwards be emploj^ed in the Church as school- 
masters. The Coetus decided that Revs. Otterbein 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 301 

and Sto}' would be suited to render such service, 
and according!}^ proposed them for that purposQ. 

We find, however, that very soon after this, 
their views and feehno;s had iindero^one a chans:e. 
It began to appear pretty clearly that the main ob- 
ject which the patrons of these schools had in view 
was a political one, and that they w^ere not calcu- 
lated to benefit the German Eeformed Church 
very directly or extensively. Indeed, it seems that 
the Coetus had well nigh lost all confidence in 
them ; and though they still co-operated in a 
measure in the scheme, they did so more for the 
general good, which they hoped they might sub- 
serve, than from any expectation that they would 
directly benefit the Church. In a Latin letter of 
Eev. William Stoy, in which he communicates to 
the Fathers in Holland the proceedings of a meet- 
ing of Coetus held sometime in the autumn of the 
year 1755, he says, at the close : " At last, we have 
reached the time to speak of those schools, under 
their own name called charitable, and of which the 
inspection was given to Kev. Schlatter. Of what 
future use they will be to us we are thus far igno- 
rant. Apparently, at least, and almost certainly, 
they will not be of much service, either publicly 
or privately, to our Church. For the only object 
of these schools is to extend the English language^ 

^ This is not a fancy. The Trustees themselves, -when the 
application from the Presbyterian Synod for a part of this 
charity was made, avowed this ; and it stood for some time as 
a difficulty in the way of favoring that application which they 
knew not well how to overcome. 

26 



302 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

among the Germans, and so the object is a political 
one ; hence our German schools can expect nothing, 
as examples testify. 

What has appeared to ns especially strange and 
foreign is, that for the directing and managing 
of these schools under the auspices of the Reverend 
Trustees, have been set — the Reformed at Lancas- 
ter having been entirely passed over — Zinzindor- 
fians, Quakers, Separatists, perchance even Deists, 
and others of this class. Would you then trust a 
wolf to have charge of the fleece-bearing flocks ? 
This, however, was a little changed after we had 
complained about it, but not without hatred being 
excited against ourselves ; for when we objected to 
the arrangement as not being in accordance with 
the wishes of the Venerable Fathers, Rev. Smith, 
the Secretary of the Trustees, in a letter to Domine 
Otterbein, responded: The Fathers in Holland 
have nothing to do with the schools, ^ay, also 
on a certain occasion, a certain one was obliged to 
hear these words : ' The Lutherans are nigher to 
the Church of England, which is Episcopal, than 
the Calvinists are.' Which, in fact, we are testing : 
for, in a certain manner, to us applies the com- 
plaint of the poet : 

Vos non vobis mellificatis apes. 
'You are bees not making honey for yourselves.' 
But as to what belongs to this whole business, and 
in what manner it must be regulated and con- 
ducted, the scheme of it can be seen as published 
in a certain pamphlet printed in this place, under 
the title: 'A Brief History of the Charitable 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 303 

Scheme for Instructing poor Gerraans in Pennsyl- 
vania.' The Gymnasium, as we expected, is at a 
stand, or remains suspended."' 

Thus, it appears the feeling reigned in the 
Ccetus, that, as regards religion, the conducting of 
the schools was not in reliable hands ; sympathis- 
ing with the views of Mr. Saurs in the belief that, 

^ In 1749, an Academy was founded in Philadelphia by a 
few distinguished and public-spirited individuals, amon^ whom 
is found the name of Benjamin Franklin. In 1750, an English, 
Latin, and Mathematical school was opened in the Academy. 
In 1753, this institution Avas incorporated by the Proprietaries 
of Pennsylvania. " In order to extend its sphere of usefulness, 
a new charter was granted in 1755, by the provisions of which 
a College was grafted upon the former Academy ; and after 
the addition of this new department, the institution was 
denominated, ' The College, Academy, and Charitable School 
of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania.' " Hazard's 
Register, vol. ii, p. 307. Thus the charity scheme was, it 
seems, associated with this institution. From the reference to 
it in the text, it seems that the institution had been suspended,^ 
and this incorporation of the charity feature, with help of the 
fund, revived it again. " In 1779, probably under the influ- 
ence of feelings excited by the Revolutionary struggle, the 
General Assembly passed an act annulling the charters above 
mentioned, modelling the Seminary upon its present form, 
under the name of 'The University of the State of Pennsylva- 
nia,' and vesting in the Trustees of this new corporation all the 
franchises and estates of ' The Trustees of the College, Acade- 
my^ and Charitable School of Philadelphia, in the Province of 
Pennsylvania.' " Hazard's Register, p. 307. Ten years later, 
1789, the new charter was annulled and the old one restored. 
There are some circumstances which indicate that the fund 
itself, or part of it, passed at last into this institution. See 
Watson's Annals, vol. i., 417. 

* " Gymaasium quod speravimus haeret,"' says Dr. Stoy. 



304 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

at bottom, lay not only a political motive but 
also a sectarian one, which hoped that ultimately 
these schools wonld subserve the interests of the 
En2:lish Church. The German Reformed were to 
make honey for others. 

In 1757, the Coetus, in a letter to Holland, 
alludes to the school-scheme in the same spirit, 
and evidently under the influence of the same 
convictions. Referring to it in 1757, they say : " It 
may be said, however, that we can do little toward 
advancing the schools ; because the directors are 
bent on making them all English, and care nothing 
for the German language. Hence, now as before, 
the Germans themselves ought to look out for 
schools in w^hich their children may be trained up 
in the German mode. But schools, as well as 
churches, in very many places, suffer great loss 
during these times of calamity and war, which 
may God in his mercy speedily remove." 

The want of confidence possessing the minds of 
the ministers of the Coetus seems to have besrotten 
a corresponding coldness in the feelings of the 
Trustees toward them, so that there appears to 
have existed a growing disposition to slight them, 
or, at least, to manifest great tardiness in giving 
them their dues. In October, 1760, they say to 
the Fathers: "In regard to the charities of the 
Honorable London Societ}^ we have hitherto 
obtained our part, yet not without trouble. Last 
year we received none; and, after making inquiry 
two or three times, we received for answer, that 
the last amount of money sent over was too small, 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 305 

that they could not resolve to give any before this 
year, when they should have heard from the So- 
ciety." 

In October, 1761, we have the following in the 
way of history and complaint : — 

"We now find it necessary to speak of the 
charities of the Honorable Society in London. 
On the 16th of June, 1756, they were received for 
the first time, and it was then decided that on the 
1st of July of the same year another year should 
begin. Then we received three times of those 
gifts ; consequently, there will be, on the 1st of 
July, two years standing back. We made inquiry 
in different ways, but could not get a positive 
answer. Several days ago, hope was given to Rev. 
Alsentz that the gifts should be continued j^et 
another year. But for the two years now coming 
to a close, we have not yet received anything. On 
this account, we have, at this meeting of Coetus, 
again addressed ourselves to the Trustees of the 
Society ; whether we shall now receive anything 
we will know in a short time. In general, w^e 
may say that, so far as we know, there are only 
three yet in existence, of which two are entirely 
English, and one, half German." 

It seems that the civil authorities of Holland, in 
part of their contributions at least, acted through 
and with the London Society. January 10th, 
1760, Mr. Chandler, of London, in a letter to Rev. 
Kulenkamp, of Amsterdam, rejoices that "the 
High and Mighty Estates" of Holland have granted 
the sum of one thousand five hundred florins to 



806 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

this work of charity for two years longer. He also 
mentions that the king of England had, up to that 
time, himself contributed £400 sterling annuall}^, 
and adds: ''Nor will the Royal bounty fail, I 
think, as long as your Pennsylvania ministers need 
aid, and their straitened circumstances prevent the 
education of the children under their care, and the 
High and Mighty Estates of Holland see fit to 
furnish their quota toward this good work." That 
which the Synods of Holland contributed directly 
to the support of the ministers in Pennsylvania 
was distributed through the Coetus. 

Although the charity scheme contended with 
the difhculties which we have sought impartially 
to describe, considerable success attended the 
efforts of its friends. A number of schools, sup- 
ported wholly, or in part, from this charity, were 
put in successful operation among the Germans.^ 

^ According to a report made by Provost Smith, to Mr. 
Chandler, of London, (1760,) schools -were then kept up at tho 
following places: 

New Providence, in Philadelphia County.... 50 Boys. 

Upper Dublin 48 

Northampton, in Bucks County 60 

Lancaster, in Lancaster County 65 

York, in York County 66 

New Hanover, in Berks County 45 

Beading, " ** 36 

Vincent, in Chester County 45 

, Presbyterian School, where u,re educated for 

the Holy Ministry 25 young men. 

These numbers were collected by Bev. Smith, during the 
autumn of last year, at which time they were less crowded, 
since many of the boys were obliged to aid in taking in the 



SCHLATTER AND TJIE CHARITY SCHOOLS. 307 

We find also that the Presbyterians made applica- 
tion for a part in the benefits of this fund as early 
as 1755, which was immediately after it became 
available. 

At its session in Philadelphia, May 23d, 1744, 
at the suggestion of the Presbyteries of Philadel- 
phia, ^N'ew Castle, and Donegal, the Synod of 
Philadelphia founded a school, as they say, ^'to 
educate youth for supplying our vacancies." The 
school was to be supported by annual contribu- 
tions from the churches. It was to be free, and 
all "persons who may please may send their chil- 
dren and have them instructed gratis in the lan- 
guages, philosophy, and divinity." ^ It was found 
that the school did not sustain itself, and was kept 
up with difficulty, being an annual tax on the 
Synod. In May, 1755, the school being down at 
the time, an effort was made to reopen it ; and it 
was " ordered that application be made to the 
Trustees of the German schools to procure a sum 
of money to encourage our school, engaging to 
teach some Dutch^ children the English tongue, 
and three or four boys Latin or Greek, if they 
offer themselves : and that Mr. Sampson Smith 
open the school at Chestnut Level so soon as this 
favor is obtained ; and that Messrs. Cross and 

harvest. But, in the winter, these schools frequently contain 
600 pupils ; and, before the invasions and butcheries of the 
Indians, when those of Easton and Codorus were in a flourish- 
ing condition, the number rose as high as 750." — Dr. Chanel- 
ler's Letter to Rev. Kulenhamp. 

' Records of the Presb. Church, p. 173, 174. 

2 They evidently mean to say " German chiidrcn." 



o08 LirE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Alison draw up and present an address to the 
Trustees of the German schools. If the sum 
obtained be less than twenty pounds currency, and 
not less than fifteen pounds, the Synod shall allow 
to the school five pounds."^ 

Objections were raised in the Board to granting 
this application. It was thought by some that 
it was diverting the fund from its original intention. 
" The Trustees were also of opinion that it did not 
foil in directly under the great design for promoting 
the Ensflish tons^ue amons; Germans."^ It was 
urged that it might give offence to the Germans 
to make this grant to an English Synod, as they 
considered this fund "for their sole benefit." The 
Synod plead that the school had been open " to the 
German nation, and two of the present Eeformed 
ministers, born in this country, were educated 
there." The Trustees considered this as having 
weight, and also called to mind that the church of 
Scotland had contributed part of the fund ; regard- 
ing this as famishing justification, they granted 
the Synod the sum of £30 sterling, which they 
gratefully acknowledged.^ 

^ Records of the Presb. Church, p. 218. 

2 Idem, p. 226. 

3 "Phila. May 25th, 1757. The Synod being informed that 
the honorable Trustees of the fund for the German emigrants, 
&c., in Pennsylvania, have generously received our petition, 
requesting their favor and Rsspstance to encourage learning, 
and to maintain a school or schools under the care of this 
Synod, and have transmitted it to the honorable Trustees, for 
the same purpose, in London, and have recommended the 



SCHLATTER AND THE CHAEITY SCHOOLS. 309 

Supplies from this fund seem to have been con- 
tinued to the Pennsylvania schools for the space 
of about eio:ht vears. So far as we know, there 
was nothing received after the year 1762. On the 
records of the Presbyterian Synod at a meeting in 
Philadelphia, May 19th, 1762, there appears the 
following minute : " Dr. Alison informs the Synod, 
that he has in his hands some money allowed out 
of the German fund for supporting a school, of 
w^hich he will give an account before our Synod 
breaks up, or at our next annual Synodical meet- 
ing ; and further informs ns, that the fund for the 
German emigrants is now exhausted, and it is 
supposed that any further supplies from that fund 
can hardly be expected."^ We find no reference 
to it in an}^ of the documents of the Reformtd 
Coetus later than this. 

As the fund was in the form of an endowment, 
the interest of which only was to be appropriated 
to the support of schools, it could of course not be 
" exhausted." It was evidently gradually seen 
that it did not accomplish the object in view, and 

Synod, and their pious and good designs, so effectually to their 
regard, that they have been pleased to grant our request. 
Ordered, that Messrs Crop and Alison Avait on the honorable 
Trustees at their next meeting, and, in the name of the Synod, 
gratefully acknowledge their favors ; and that they do what- 
ever else may be necessary in said affair. And that, if Mr. 
Provost Smith come here, thank him in the name of the Synod, 
for the particular regard he has shown, and the care he has 
taken." — Records of the Presb. Church, p. 225. See also p. 

* liecords of the Presb. Church, p. 315. 



310 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was therefore at length abandoned for reasons that 
must be plain to every one, from its history as we 
have recorded it. Those who had the control of 
the fand, no doubt, found some more promising 
object to which to apply the capital. 

We would here add that Mr. Schlatter did not 
remain Superintendent of these schools longer 
than till about the middle of the year 1757. 
Whether the discouragements with which the 
scheme met, or a loss of confidence in it, caused 
his withdrawal, cannot perhaps now be known. 



CHAPTER IX. 

SCHLATTER AND THE CCETUS. 
1756. 

About this time an unfortunate difficulty oc- 
cnrred between the Coetus and Mr. Schlatter, 
which evidently rose out of a mere misunderstand- 
ing, and was by a combination of circumstances, 
and hostile influence from a foreign source, nursed 
into an evil which cast its shadow over all the re- 
mainder of the worthy man's life, and was the 
occasion of turning it, in a measure, into another 
channel. It furnishes another illustration of the 
fact, so abundantl}^ verified in history, that great 
effects depend on little causes ; and shows how it 
is the sport of lawless winds to toss ocean into 
tempest, even though it be only 

" To -waft a feather or to drown a fly/' 

"We will endeavor to bring to light the cause, 
and relate the history of this difficulty, leaving the 
reader to draw his own conclusions, either against, 
or in accordance with, reflections and conclusions 
of our own. 

We have already referred to the fact, that during 
the meeting of Coetus held at Lancaster, April 9th, 
1755, Mr. Schlatter was requested, in connection 
with his duties as Superintendent of the charity 

(311) 



312 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

schoolSj and during his travels through the land 
on that business, also to visit the congregations 
and inquire into their condition. It was at the 
same time resolved, that one of the ministers of 
Coetus should annually be appointed to perform 
this duty, it being designed as a permanent ar- 
rangement. The appointment for the first year 
fell upon Mr. Schlatter, by the unanimous vote of 
Coetus ; no doubt because it could be so well com- 
bined with the agency which he had undertaken 
in behalf of the charity schools. This arrange- 
ment seems to have been not so much a new thing 
as the continuation of an old one, under a some- 
what different form. There are incidental alhi- 
sions in the correspondence between the Coetus 
and the Fathers in Holland, which indicate that, 
since his return from Europe in 1752 up to that 
time, Mr. Schlatter had been entrusted with a 
similar kind of general superintendency b}^ the 
authorities of Holland. Thus we find, for in- 
stance, that he was most prominent in the loca- 
tion and installation of the young ministers which 
he brought with him. It is evident also that he 
did not confine his labors wholly to Philadelphia ; 
but gave them a general bearing. Indeed it seems 
natural that this should have been so from his pre- 
vious position and labors in the American church ; 
and now also to enable him to carry out and ren- 
der efficient the results of his successful mission to 
Europe. We have seen that there were from time 
to time some troublesome spirits in the Coetus, and 
linsrering around it. To such, it seems, the posi- 



SCHLATTER AND THE C(ETUS. 313 

tion and general work assigned to Mr. Schlatter, 
appeared identical with a lordship over God's 
heritage. Jealousies arose, which, fanned by ill- 
disposed outside influences, led to representations, 
true or false, which induced the Fathers to conclude 
that it was best to remove the oifence by with- 
drawing from Mr. Schlatter the powers of a general 
superintendency. 

Meanwhile Coetus had entrusted to Mr. Schlatter 
the duty of transmitting to the Fathers the Coetal 
acts and proceedings : which he did, accompany- 
ing them with a private letter, as was always done, 
giving such explanations as seemed necessary, and 
making such reflections as the circumstances, and 
his own mind, might suggest at the time. When 
the Coetus received the usual replies from the Fa- 
thers, with their review of the minutes and their 
remarks upon them, these letters were thought to 
indicate that Mr. Schlatter had transcended his in- 
structions, and had communicated matters which, 
the Coetus had not authorized, especially in regard 
to his appointment to visit the churches. So 
Coetus, or at least a majority in it, charged in their 
action of the year 1756, as appears from their re- 
ply and report to the Fathers in Holland. We 
quote the whole of their words, faithfully trans- 
lated from their letter, written in Latin by Eev. 
Stoy, and sent under sanction of Coetus.' 

' The original is in the hands of Rev. Dr. Dewitt of New 
York, through whose kindness we have been granted the use 
of it. 

27 



314 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

After some general remarks, they say: "With 
regard to your letters themselves, we understand 
from them that to our Coetal proceedings of the 
former year, Eev. Schlatter added a letter contain- 
ing many different things, of which there was no 
mention in the proceedings themselves. This 
appears to be not unlike fraud. And what is not 
contained in the proceedings cannot be placed to 
our account. Let Mr. Schlatter be responsible for 
that himself; whom, could it have been with the 
permission of the venerable Fathers, we would 
have preferred as being our amanuensis to his 
being the Superintendent. Indeed, the powers of 
action imparted to him by us, we had circumscribed 
to such restricted limits that he might do nothing 
whatever without our knowledge. Neither was 
compulsion needed, nor many persuasions to induce 
Mr. Schlatter to undertake the office. Rather, on 
the other hand, we observed him to be inclined to 
it. Nay, of his own accord, he presented himself. 
Not unwilHngly he undertook it; knowing that 
the burthen of the schools would not be too great 
for him. Thus we assented to Mr. Schlatter's 
wishes for the sake of preserving friendship ; but 
even now, respecting Mr. Schlatter, again dismissed, 
we not only submit ourselves to your wishes with 
all due obedience, but also ask pardon for the sin 
committed in receiving Mr. Schlatter again con- 
trary to your wishes, and we grieve that at least 
some amongst us, from their too great love of Mr. 
Schlatter, were not sufficiently cautious, and suf- 
fered him to abuse their candor and integrity." 



SCHLATTER AND THE C(ETUS. 315 

In the remark that "at least some," in the 
Coetiis were led to the reappointment of Mr. Schlat- 
ter, after the Fathers had concluded that it was 
best for the peace and prosperity of the church, 
that he shonld cease from that office — "from too 
great love of him," implies that there were some 
also who were not favorable to him, and who 
wonld therefore be in a position to keep a close 
watch, and put a severe construction upon his acts. 
There is no evidence that, in even desiring that a 
kind of oversight of the general field should be 
entrusted to him in connection with his school 
agency, he was not actuated by a sincere desire to 
promote the general good of the church, to whose 
interests he had given such abundant evidence of 
attachment. Knowing as they did that his acting 
in that capacity was neither regarded expedient on 
the part of the Fathers, nor agreeable to the 
wishes of some in the Coetus, they manifested far 
too much policy and too little faithfulness, in re- 
newing it from considerations of personal friend- 
ship. It only shows how weak are all men; and 
what an evil thinsj it is to " know men after the 
flesh." Suppose even that it had been weakness, 
rather than love for the church, which caused him 
to desire the appointment, there is greater weak- 
ness and less love of the church manifested in 
conferring it upon him under those circumstances. 

In regard to his having added to the minutes of 
Coetus, in transmitting them " a letter containing 
many diflerent things of which there was no 
mention in the proceedings themselves," we may 



316 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

say that this supposition — for they only infer it — 
ought not to be hastily entered against the testi- 
mony of many ^^ears to his fidelity, to which Coetus 
itself often testified. We have already said that 
it was customary, before and after that time, for 
the Secretary who transmitted the minutes, to 
accompany them with a letter of his own, in which 
often free scope was given to remark and reflection. 
Indeed, this was desirable in the circumstances; 
for the bare proceedings of Ccetus necessarily brief 
and more or less formal, would convey but an 
imperfect picture of the state of the church, its 
progress, prospects, and wants. Mr. Schlatter's 
relations to the Fathers in Holland as formerly 
intrusted by them with an important general com- 
mission, as well as the prominent part he had acted 
in this country, were such as to make it natural 
and proper for him to be familiar and free in his 
communications. In these circumstances, it is 
easy to conceive that he might have given his views 
and opinions to such an extent, and with such 
freedom, as to give a complexion to the reply from 
the Fathers, which could easily be so construed as 
to give rise to a suspicion that he had communi- 
cated things different from the contents of the 
Coetal acts. 

The letter on which the blame rests does not 
seem to be extant; but there are others accessible, 
written by other secretaries, under similar circum- 
stances, which have suggested to us this explana- 
tion of the unfortunate occurrence; and which 
convince us that all may be fairly and fully 



SCHLATTER AND THE C(ETUS. 317 

explained in the way indicated, without resorting 
to a position which is hardly reconcilable with the 
law of charity. Indeed, there is extant a similar 
letter from Mr. Schlatter himself, which accom- 
panied the minutes of 1755, free and famihar, but 
characterized by a remarkably kind, hopeful, and 
modest Christian spirit.^ 

We have also remarked, in the beginning of 
this chapter, that there were hostile influences from 
a foreign source which acted no small part in 
placing Mr. Schlatter in a false light before the 
German churches, and in inciting and increasing 
the difliculties between him and the Ccetus. He 
had an influential enemy in Mr. Saurs, who edited 
a widely circulated German paper in Germantown. 
We have elsewhere^ spoken of the earnest conflict 
in early times between the Governors and the 
Assembl}^ or between what was called the " Go- 
vernor's party" and the Quakers, to whom the 
Germans adhered, sustaining them and their influ- 
ence in the Assembly. We have also elsewhere^ 
related that Mr. Schlatter, from the very first, 
stood high in the favor of the authorities, especially 
with those who stood opposed to Quaker policy, 
and were therefore regarded as more loyal to the 
policy of the English government. This position 

^ See a copy of it in Dr. Mayer's MSS. vol. i. p. 31, 32, 33. 
It is written in the Dutch language. We have translated and 
given some extracts from it in a previous chapter. 

^ See the chapter on Schlatter and the Charity Schools. 
^ See the chapter on Schlatter's Chaplaincy in the French 
War. 

27* 



318 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

of Mr. Schlatter and his influence among the Ger- 
mans awakened the jealousy and ill-will of Mr. 
Saurs, who favored the Quaker policy. Hence, he 
sought early opportunity and occasion to bring 
Mr. Schlatter into bad repute, of which his paper, 
from 1747 to 1757, furnishes abundant proof.^ 
lie found fault with him for the manner in which 
he settled the old claim against Elder Reif, in 
regard to the money and Bibles w^hich Mr. Reif 
had collected in Holland and failed to put to their 
intended use, though the whole transaction was 
laid before Coetus and the Fathers in Holland, and 
by them fully approved.^ He took sides against 

^ We have obtained numerous extracts from Saurs' paper 
through the kindness of John F. Watson, of Germantown, 
Author of "The Annals of Philadelphia," vrhich verify this 
remark. 

2 " Since, for some time past, I have been very much vrounded 
by certain coarse and false charges in regard to the money 
■which, some eighteen years ago, vras sent, through Mr. Jacob 
E-eif, from the Synods of South and North Holland, for the 
benefit of the Reformed in Pennsylvania, I have thought it 
necesgary, in order to establish my innocence and contradict 
such slanders, to publish the present extract in the public 
papers. It is an extract taken from a testimonial which my 
Reverend and beloved brethren in the holy office gave me at 
their last meeting after they had investigated this matter, and 
runs as follows : 

'After previous careful examination of the matter, and 
agreeably to the witness of our conscience, we give to our 
brother. Pastor Schlatter, this testimonial, that publicly and 
to all men, may be known as follows : 

* Mr, Schlatter, pastor in Philadelphia and Germantown, in 
the matter of the money collected in Holland by Jacob Roif, 
by receiving 100 Spanish pistoles, has done nothing else than 



SCHLATTER AND THE CCETUS. 319 

him ill the unfortunate strife occasioned by Mr. 
Steiner and his party in Philadelphia, though 
three tribunals — the Coetus, the six arbitrators by 

his duty, and has acted in accordance with the express instruc- 
tions sent over to him during the past year by letter from the 
Reverend Synod of South Holland in regard to this money, 
•which instructions he has conscientiously and faithfully fol- 
lovs'ed, even though, previous to the reception of these orders 
from Holland, from love to his congregation, Mr. Schlatter had 
already given to the respected elders here nearly one-half of it, 
which, however, he hopes to be able to answer for at the proper 
tribunal ; of which, also, we have been fully assured from an 
account of it which has been submitted to us. In testimony 
whereof, this has been signed and confirmed by the signature 
of our own names. 

Jon. Barth. Reiger, p. t. Prasses. 

George Michael Weiss, p. t. Scriba. 

JoH. Philip Leydich, in Falkner Schwam. 

PMla. Oct, 2Wi, 1749.^^ 

Michael Schlatter, Pastor in Philadelphia. 
From Saurs' Paper, Nov. IQih, 1749, also Dec. 1st, 1749. 

That these slanders were again revived at a later day, the 
following extracts will show. Malice, like a drowned man, 
holds on to its vain refuge after it has long been dead. 

" Rev. Schlatter has accounted to us, to our full satisfaction, 
in relation to the money which Reif collected ; it amounts to 
200 florins ; he paid 100 florins of it to the congregation in 
Germantown, and as much to the congregation at Skippach." 
— Coetal Mm., April, 1755. 

"Rev. Schlatter presented his reckoning in regard to the 
800 Bibles before the Coetus, in which he has given new evi- 
dence of his honesty and faithfulness, whereupon we gave him 
a testimonial, or receipt, to that effect. Mr. Schlatter has yet 
fifty folios, and of the 800, 100 in hand ; the distribution of 
these was laid upon him.'' — Coetal Min., April, 1755. 



820 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

whom it was finally decided, and the Fathers in 
Holland — had pronounced Mr. Schlatter to be in 
the right and the intruders in the wrong. He was, 
as may elsewhere be seen in this volume, an espe- 
cially bitter enemy of the charity school scheme, 
with which Mr. Schlatter was so intimately identi- 
fied. 

Saurs' paper, at that time, had an almost un- 
bounded influence among the Germans. Its word 
was law with thousands. It not only sought to 
make new enemies for Schlatter, but it appealed 
in various ways and with acute worldly wisdom, 
to the worst feelings and passions of his old ene- 
mies in Philadelphia and elsewhere. By influence 
like this, kept up against him from various sources, 
and for a length of time, many well-disposed per- 
sons were unconsciously made to participate in the 
unjust prejudice against him. 

This opposition and prejudice was, no doubt, 
the cause of his remaining so short a time in the 
service of the schools; and helps to account for 
the comparative want of success in the whole 
scheme. This also did much, if not to create, to 
increase that indiflference in regard to the schools 
which we have seen, in a former chapter, existed 
in the Coetus, and in the churches under its care. 
This, also, was not without its silent effect upon 
the feelings of Ccetus in reference to Mr. Schlatter. 
More than all this, though, there were deeper 
influences which, operating as cause, had, beyond 
doubt, much to do in making him willing to accept 
the chaplaincy in the army, of which we shall 



SCHLATTER AND THE C(ETUS. 321 

hereafter speak. There seemed to be promise of 
relief to wounded feelings in turning away, for a 
time at least, from scenes over which trouble had 
spread its gloomy shadows, and where even best 
friends, if in no other way, by significant silence 
showed signs of alienation, under the pressure of 
unfriendly surroundings, too strong to withstand 
and too stubborn to control. 



CHAPTER X. 

Schlatter's chaplaincy in the French war. 
1757-1759. 

Mr. Schlatter's mission to this country was 
of such a character as from the very first to com- 
mand the respect of the civil authorities. He 
brought with him " important recommendations to 
our government," says Dr. Muhlenberg, "and 
came to be greatly respected by the rulers.^" The 
feeling in those early earnest times was deeper 
than it is now that religion is an indispensable ele- 
ment in the peace and stability of government; 
and the authorities saw in Mr. Schlatter's mission 
a great religious blessing to the Germans in this 
country, and through them a lasting advantage to 
the civil interests of the land. The respect thus 
awarded him at his first arrival, he retained to the 
end of his life, receiving many marks of considera- 
tion from those in official places. Among other 
evidences of high public estimation was his ap- 
pointment to a chaplaincy in the Royal American 
Regiment, both in the French war and at the be- 
ginning of the Revolutionary struggle. 

After the defeat of General Braddock, the chief 
direction of the war was given to the Earl of Lou- 

1 Hal. Nach. p. 660. 

(322) 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE FRENCH WAR. 323 

don, who, as appointed Governor of Virginia, and 
Colonel of the Royal American Regiment, arrived 
in this country about the middle of the year 1756. 
Many of the Germans, some from conscientious 
scruples in regard to the propriety of Christians 
going to war, and others from that love of quiet- 
ness and peace w^hich characterized them in their 
rural districts, ^vere averse to the war in which 
the English colonial government felt it necessary 
to engage against the encroachments of the 
French. In order to induce the Germans and 
Swiss settlers — who, from their mutual sympa- 
thies, were drawn close together, forming in a 
measure distinct communities, with their own 
language and peculiar manners — to engage more 
readily in the Royal service. Parliament, in the 
early part of the year 1756, passed an act pro- 
viding for the appointment of German, Swiss, and 
Dutch Protestants as officers.^ By the same Par- 



1 Col. Rec. of Pa., vol. vii., p. 180. " It having been repre- 
sented that a number of the foreign settlers in America might 
be more willing to enter in the King's Service if they were 
commanded by oJEcers of their own country, an act of Parlia- 
ment has been passed, of which I send you, enclosed, a printed 
copy, enabling his Majesty to grant commissions to a certain 
number of German, Swiss, and Dutch Protestants, who have 
served as officers or engineers ; and as they have already en- 
gaged, they will embark with all expedition in order to assist 
in raising and commanding such of the Foreign Protestants in 
North America as shall be able and willing to serve with the 
rest of the forces upon the occasion ; and it is the King's plea- 
sure that you should give any of the said officers who may 
enter into your government, all the assistance in your power 



324 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

liauient, authority was given to form, from among 
the Germans, a regiment of four battahons, each 
of one thousand men, to be called the Royal Ame- 
rican Reojiment. 

It does not appear that this scheme was ever 
fully realized. In 1757, on account of increasing 
troubles from the side of the French at Fort Du 
Fresne, on the Ohio, the Forts along the Lakes, 
and Louisburg in E"ova Scotia, the Provincial As- 
sembly of Pennsylvania authorized the raising of 
one thousand troops in the Province from among 
the border inhabitants, or to draw them from the 
frontier garrisons. These were principally Ger- 
mans. Three hundred of them were afterwards 
retained under the order of the Province, and 
seven hundred were placed at the disposition of 
the Earl of Loudon for the general service. It 
fell to the Pennsylvania troops to march to Nova 
Scotia, to the siege of Louisburg and Halifax. 

It was in this expedition that Mr. Schlatter re- 
in the execution of this service/' — Fox, the British Secretary, 
to Gov. Morris, March IWi, 1756. Col. Bee., vol. vii.,p. 180. 

" His Majesty, enabled by act of Parliament, has beea 
pleased to appoint a number of German, Swiss, and Dutch 
Protestants to be officers of a Regiment which he has called 
the Royal American Regiment." — By the Governor, Eoht. IT. 
Morris, to the Assembly. Phil. , June 2Wi, 1756. Col. Rec, 
vol. vii., p. 178. 

The Regiment of twenty-five companies, composed of four- 
teen hundred men stationed in the interior of Pennsylvania at 
the forts in 1756, were principally under German officers. — See 
Gordon's Hist, of Penna. p. 341, 342. 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE FRENCH WAR. 325 

celvecl the appointment of chaplain. If, as a mat- 
ter of mere earthly honor, the dignity of his posi- 
tion is to be rated according to the array of titles 
which ornament the name of him who conferred 
it upon him, it is worthy of all consideration. 
The curious will be pleased to see it here. 

"By His Excellency, John, Earl of Loudon, Lord 
Machline, and Tarrintean, etc. etc. One of the 
sixteen Peers of Scotland; Captain General and 
Governor of Virginia and Vice- Admiral of the 
same; Colonel of the Thirteenth Eegiment of 
Foot; Colonel in Chief of the Royal American 
Regiment; Major-General and Commander-in- 
Chief of all His Majesty's forces, raised and to be 
raised, 

TO MICHAEL SCHLATTER, CLERK. 

By virtue of the power and authority to me 
given by His Majesty; I do hereby constitute and 
appoint you to be one of the Chaplains to His 
Majesty's Royal American Regiment of Foot, 
whereof lam Colonel in Chief; you are, therefore, 
carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of 
Chaplain, by doing and performing all manner of 
things thereunto belonging ; and you are to ob- 
serve and follow such orders and directions, from 
time to time, as you shall receive from His Majesty, 
myself, or any superior officer, according to the 
rules and discipline of war. 

Given at New York, this twenty-fifth day of 
March, 1757 ; in the thirteenth year of the reign 
of our sovereign lord, George the Second, by the 



826 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Grace of God, Xing of Great Britain, France, and 
Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. 

By His Excellency's Command, 
J. Appy. Loudon.^ 

Mr. Schlatter felt it his duty to accept this ap- 
pointment; and though it cost him a struggle to 
leave his family and his work in Pennsylvania, yet 
he cheerfully devoted himself to the wishes of his 
country and the spiritual good of its soldiers — 
among w^hom were, no doubt, many of his own 
acquaintances — on a tedious and trying expedition. 
Though there were, no doubt, many who feared 
God more than the enemy, yet, as among soldiers 
generally, there were many who needed the faith- 
ful exhortations and reproofs of this earnest man 
to keep them within the bounds of moral pro- 
priety, to say nothing of the Christian spirit. 
"Kev. Mr. Schlatter," says Saurs, " evidently with- 
out much seriousness, has been appointed by 
General Loudon as field-preacher for the 4th Bat- 
talion of the Eoyal North American Army. If 
he will seek, at the same time, to be also their 
spiritual pastor, to bring them under Christian 
order and discipline, or to lead them to be followers 
of Christ, he has truly taken upon himself a very 
difficult office." 2 

Lord Loudon had already planned and proposed 
his expedition to Nova Scotia in the fall of 1756. 
He convened the Governors of Pennsylvania, 

1 Ger. Ref. Mess. Sep. 20, 1848. Communicated by J. D. 
Rupp, Esq. 
^ Saurs' paper, April 16th, 1757. 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE FRENCH WAR. 327 

Maryland, Virginia, and Xorth Carolina, at Phila- 
delphia, where arrangements were made for the 
defence of the frontiers of these Provinces while 
the forces should be absent, so that all things 
might be ready till spring should open. The month 
of April, 1757, was chiefly spent in getting ready 
the transports in the harbors of Philadelphia, Kew 
York, and Boston. On the 5th of May, a fleet of 
ninety sail was convened in the harbor of I^ew 
York. The fleet lay for some time anchored at 
Sandy Hook in suspense, awaiting notice of the 
arrival of the fleet from England, and, in June, 
they sailed for Halifax, the place of rendezvous for 
the fleet and army. 

Mr. Schlatter was present at the siege of Halifax 
and the seven weeks' siege of Louisburg, and 
shared in the victory, by which, on the 27th of 
July, the town of Louisburg, and, as a conse- 
quence. Cape Breton and Prince Edward's Island 
fell into the hands of the English — the death-blow 
to the power of France on the Eastern coast. He 
comes in for his share of the praise which Bancroft 
the historian bestows upon the patriotic field- 
preachers in that victorious expedition. " There," 
he says," were the chaplains who preached to the 
regiments of citizen soldiers a renewal of the days 
when Moses, with the rod of God in his hand, sent 
Joshua against Amalek."^ 

It is worthy of remark, that it was not far from 
Louisburg, out from Cape Breton, that Mr. Schlat- 
ter and his fellow-passengers, on the night of July 

» Bancroft's Hist. U. States, vol. iv, p. 300. 



328 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

24tb, 1746, just about eleven years before, on bis 
first voyage to America, were nearly lost in tbe 
waves of a stormy sea. He could not but reflect 
on tbe eventful eleven years, wbicb, after many 
joys and sorrows, bopes and fears, toils, and trials, 
and triumpbs, bad brougbt bim back again, under 
circumstances tbat be never could bave dreamed 
of, to tbe spot of bis former danger and deliver- 
ance. How strange and wonderful, but well-or- 
dered, is tbe way in wbich tbe kind band of God 
leads tbem wbo submit to be tbe instruments of 
His mercy and love ! 

It does not clearly appear wbetber Mr. Scblatter 
accompanied tbe regiment of General Wolfe, who 
left Louisburg with eight thousand men, early in 
the summer of 1758, for Quebec. The taking of 
Quebec, in September, 1759, ended the war in that 
region in favor of the English. It seems probable 
that Mr. Schlatter returned immediately after this 
victory, since we learn from Eev. Muhlenberg, that 
be passed through "New York, on his way home, 
in October of that year. 

It appears tbat there were some Lutheran con- 
gregations in Nova Scotia at that time, and proba- 
bly some from the army preferred to remain, 
which caused Mr. Scblatter to feel an interest in 
tbe spiritual condition of the Germaus in tbat 
region. Eev. Muhlenberg, in bis report to Halle, 
remarks : 

" In the month of October, 1759, Ilis Reverence, 
Mr. Schlatter, came to my house, after tbat he had 
safely returned as chaplain of the Eegiment, from 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE FRENCH WAR. 329 

the siege and capture of Louisburg, and later from 
Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and presented to me a 
call, by virtue of a written authority from the 
Governor of Halifax, to become Evangelical Ger- 
man and English preacher in the congregation of 
Luneburg and Halifax, with the additional pro- 
vision that I should have an annual fixed salary of 
seventy pounds sterling, and twenty pounds besides, 
if I would, in addition, devote several hours each 
day to the instruction of youth."' 

Soon afterwards, he returned in good health to 
his family, in Philadelphia. As we remarked, in 
speaking of Mr. Schlatter's youth, so we repeat 
here — because we are sure the force of the remark 
will be felt — that a restless, roving, pioneering 
element entered largely into the constitution of his 
being. While he was, no doubt, conscientious in 
the acceptance of this appointment, he seems not 
to have been unfitted by nature, or disinclined in 
taste, to the rough, stern, and rugged life of the 
field. 

^ Hal. NachrichteD, p. 733. 



CHAPTER XI. 

SWEETLAND. 

1755-177T. 

At what precise time Mr. Schlatter removed 
with his family from Philadelphia to Chestnut Hill, 
we have not been able to ascertain. Most likely 
it was when he ceased to be pastor of that church, 
and entered upon the charity school superintend- 
ency, which was in the year 1755. We find him 
residing there soon after his return from !Nova 
Scotia.^ 

His home on Chestnut Hill was on a piece of 
ground now called the " Cooms" farm, about ten 
miles from Philadelphia, and four from German- 
town. This spot lay near the present turnpike 
leading from Reading to Philadelphia, fronting on 
a lane, which runs in from the turnpike. He 
called it " Sweetland," and by this name his 
residence was known. 

As contrasted with his previous public and event- 
ful career, he lived here in comparative quiet and 
retirement. From this time up to the commence- 
ment of the Revolutionary war, there is a calm in 
the history of his life. He does not appear much 

' Ilal. Nachrichten, p. 865. Rev. Muhlenberg and Rev. 
Wrangel, the Swedish Provost, were over-night at his house, 
March 10th, 1701. 

(330) 



SWEETLAND. 331 

in public, the flow and influence of his life being 

confined to a narrower circle. Having little earthly 

resources to depend upon, he supported himself 

and family mainly from the products of his small 

piece of land. He also derived a considerable 

part of his support in the way of perquisites, his 

house having become the resort of almost all 

persons wishing to be joined in matrimony, within 

a circle of fifteen to twenty-five miles. It became 

the general habit among the young people of all 

denominations, and of no denomination, to call on 

Pastor Schlatter to introduce them into the way of 

Domestic happiness, that only bliss 
Of paradise that had survived the fall. 

Far and wide, in the minds of the hopeful young, 

Sweetland was bound up with the brightest hopes, 

and fragrant with the happiest memories. 

Mr. Schlatter, however, did not lay aside the 
duty and privilege of preaching "the glorious 
Gospel of the blessed God." He is said to have 
preached frequently at Barren Hill. Rev. Muhlen- 
bero-, in 1762, speaks incidentally of him as preach- 
ing there, and administering the Holy Supper on 
Easter " to his church members."^ From which it 
appears that he had a regular congregation there 
to which he ministered. He preached also at a 
place called Franklinville, and in other localities 
as opportunity ofiered. 

It does not appear that, after his return from 
Nova Scotia, he ever formally co-operated with the 
Coetus; th ough there is also no evidence that he 
' Hal. Nachrichten, pp. 895, 896. 



832 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

lost any of his interest in the church in general. 
We have elsewhere given some account of the 
causes of his isolation. We do not justif)^ it in 
the least ; but regard it as a great blemish in his 
ministerial honor, and as a gloomy shadow hang- 
ing over this part of his earnest and useful life. 
We leave it for the reader, in view of the causes 
which were certainly very strong and active in 
crowding him out into such a position, to blame 
him according to their judgment and their charity. 
Though w^e may regret his retirement, yet ought 
we to know more than we do of the circumstances, 
to censure with decision and severity. There are 
few lives in which there are not some dry and 
dreary places, where little that is green and fragrant 
appears to the cursory eye ; and yet, in those 
desert places there are retired nooks and oases, be 
they ever so small, which are the circles of beauty, 
and life, and love. Nor is it proper for us to re- 
gard his comparatively retired life as useless, taking 
it for granted that it was a Christian life. Cowper 
has beautifully, and we think upon Christian prin- 
ciples, vindicated the man of retirement against 
the charge of uselessness. 

*' Not slothful he, though seeming unemployed, 
And censured oft as useless. Stillest streams 
Oft water fairest meadows, and the bird 
That flutters least, is longest on the wing. 
His warfare is within. There, unfatigued, 
His fervent spirit labors. There he fights, 
And there obtains fresh triumphs o'er himself. 
And never-withering wreaths, compared with which 
The laurels which a Cossar reaps are weeds." 



SWEETLAND. 333 

There is such a thing as the main force and 
power of a man's public life being compressed into 
a comparatively brief period, while the remainder 
may be regarded as a calm and useful reaction 
from the efibrt. History furnishes abundant illus- 
trations of this remark. The warrior, who in one 
brief desperate conflict has kept a pass, may not 
be among those who go forward over a wide plain 
to take the capitol ; yet he has done as much as 
they — yea, in some cases more. Schlatter's life 
was of this type. Few lives can show a more 
earnest and eventful period than his from 1746 to 
1759. It needs but a review of that period, even 
as we have imperfectly pictured it, to assure us 
that during that time he nobly and heroically kept 
a pass — stemmed opposition — contended with 
enemies subtle and bold — made himself in many 
ways a sacrifice to the ignorance, the schemes, and 
the wrath of men. We need not much wonder 
that weary and exhausted, he should leave the rest 
of the more public work necessary to full victory, 
to others, who, because they were less prominent 
in the fierce contention of the first onset, could 
carry on the work with less prejudice against them- 
selves; whilst his not appearing among the success- 
ful contenders, would only cause opposition the 
more easily to yield. 

The providence of God makes the wrath of man 
to praise him. Whatever error there may have 
been in him, and whatever wickedness in others, 
combining to crowd his life out into an eddy, there 
is perhaps no clearer evidence that in his case, it 



334 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

was overruled for the good of the church, than the 
fact that it weakened the prejudices and opposition 
of those whom his zeal in the furtherance of certain 
measures had offended. Without just cause, we 
believe, but yet really, his name had become 
unsavory with a large portion of the German 
people through the country. The fierce demagogic 
radical grandiloquence of Saurs, and such like 
caterers for that ignorance and popular prejudice 
of which there is too much in all ages and in all 
communities, had wrought up many into the 
belief that he was a secret agent of the rulers to 
prepare the way for their enslavement. In a letter 
to Conrad Weiser, dated Sept. 6th, 1755, Saurs 
suggests ever to him whether a number of men, 
among whom he names Schlatter, " have the least 
regard for the Germans of Pennsylvania," and 
expresses doubt " whether the establishing of free 
schools is not rather designed to serve as a founda- 
tion, upon which to establish the thraldom of the 
Germans." He intimates that Schlatter was an 
instrument of Rev. Tennant '' to bring it to pass that 
the Germans would be obliged to support English 
preachers in Philadelphia !" He sees amid the 
results which Schlatter is to aid in brino-insr about, 
a terrible '' military law," the establishment of ^' a 
regular soldiery," a "fixed salary for ministers and 
schoolmasters:" and for the securement of this 
result, he says : " there is no better pretext than 
THE POOR Germans !" With such like notions and 
fears did Saurs inflate the Germans, so far as his 
infiuenco reached ; and we need only observe the 



SWEETLAND. 335 

successful business carried on in one of our modern 
political campaigns with this kind of capital, to be 
convinced that it must have done efiectual execu- 
tion at that early day. The very best evidence of 
the success of such like influences in brinsfinof 
Schlatter's name in disrepute among the common 
people, is the fiict that down to the present time, 
has the tradition been preserved in some regions, 
that Mr. Schlatter " had worked to bring it about 
that the people must give the tenth !" 

Such facts may assure us that there were few 
fields in the church where such prejudices did not 
linger around to hinder and limit, if not entirely 
destroy his influence ; and his presence and promi- 
nence in the Coetus must very seriousl}^ have 
affected its authority, and circumscribed its success. 

Under these circumstances, Mr. Schlatter thought 
it best to withdraw from his previous prominent 
and public position, to serve God and his genera- 
tion in a more retired way. 

Amid rural and domestic scenes, quietly, peace- 
fully, and, no doubt, usefully and happilj^, passed 
the years at Sweetland, till a change came over it 
at the outbreak of the war of freedom. 



CHAPTER XII. 

SCHLATTER CHAPLAIN IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

177T. 

It seems that though Mr. Schlatter retired from 
the active duties of chaplain after his return from 
Nova Scotia, he was still, at least nominall}^, con- 
tinued in that office; for he signed himself as such 
in official papers some years after he had returned 
from Nova Scotia.^ 

We find him again in the active duties of chap- 
lain at the beginning of the Revolutionary war ; 
whether by virtue of the old appointment or by a 
new commission, does not appear. Having been 
all along interwoven officially, and by various cir- 
cumstances, prominently in the afiairs of the go- 
vernment, he was at the beginning of the war 

• A marriage certificate given by him, still extant, is as fol- 
lows : 

"L. B. S. 

I do certify hereby, that Seth Quee of Horsham Township, 
Philadelphia county, Bachelor, and Priscilla AVilliams, spin- 
ster, are lawfully married and joined together in holy matri- 
mony, this thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two. 

Given under my hand and seal, at my place, Sweetland, this 
13th day of June, 1762. 

Michael Schlatter, 
His Majesty's chaplain to the Royal Regiment, [l. s.] '^ 

(336) 



CHAPLAINCY IX THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 33T 

Tinder the appointment of the old authorities, and 
acted as chaplain in the British army. This was, 
however, only for a short time. He soon found 
himself impelled by his feelings and sense of right, 
to espouse the side and cause of the colonies, 
which he did in the face of danger and great 
self-sacrifice. 

Accordingly, in the month of September, 1777, 
when the British invaded Germantown, he refused 
to obey orders, and thus subjected himself to the 
punishment which military law inflicts for such an 
act. He was immediately taken to Philadelphia 
and imprisoned. His house on Chestnut Hill was 
entered and plundered by British soldiers. Ra- 
chel, his youngest daughter, only in the fourteenth 
year of her age, showed herself very heroic on this 
occasion. At the risk of her life, she seized the 
portrait of her father hanging upon the wall, 
snatching it out of the hand of the soldier who 
was at the time reaching for it, and bore away, as 
upon the feet of a deer, or a young roe, the pre- 
cious treasure. The soldiers in this onslauo-ht 
seemed to be animated as much by the spirit of 
fell revenge as by the desire of plunder. They 
broke his furniture, cut open his feather beds, and 
scattered their contents to the w^inds; threw his 
silver ware into the well, perhaps with the hope of 
securing it in a more peaceful time ; put his pa- 
pers upon a pile and consigned them to the flames !^ 

' Thus, no doubt, many interesting papers that would be of 
much historical interest were consumed. The larger diar}', to 
which he alludes in his published Journal, p. 215, no doubt 

29 



oo 



8 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 



Together with his portrait, some members of the 
family rescued also his coat-of-arms, the silver- 
handled knife and fork, and silver spoon which he 
was accustomed to use while in the army, and a 
case of small instruments, such as a compass, lance, 
pincers, and some others, which are still in pos- 
session of the family of his grandson, Michael 
Snyder, Esq. of Manayunk. 

How long Mr. Schlatter was confined, cannot 
perhaps now be ascertained ; it was, however, not 
a great while. His prison hours were cheered by 
the visits of his heroic daughter Rachel, who fre- 
quentty hastened on horseback to the city, w^ith 
some special provisions for the comfort of her 
captive father. Released from " durance vile," he 
returned to his family on Chestnut Hill. 

Throughout the whole Revolutionary struggle, 
his sympathies were warmly with the American 
cause ; and several of his sons, the one as a grena- 
dier, and the other as an adjutant, did actual ser- 
vice in the sacred cause of freedom. 

Through the mob-like confiscation which so 
sadly befel Sweetland, Mr. Schlatter lost nearly 
the whole of his little earthly possessions. As a 
consequence, he was comparatively poor in his 
old age. In the spring of 1778, he again pur- 
chased a small home.^ This was not the same 

met the same fate at this time. Much as this is to be re- 
gretted, it is still a pleasant reflection, that this precious relic 
may have burned as incense on the altar of our national free- 
dom. 

2 The deed bears date April 27th, 1778. He paid £550 
for it. 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY AVAR. 339 

Sweetland it is true, but near it, and it soon be- 
came like it by the industry of the family and the 
contentment of age. This second homestead of 
Mr. Schlatter lies on the east side of the turnpike 
leading from Chestnut Hill to Barren Hill, about 
half a mile from his former residence. Mr. Schlat- 
ter manifested much taste in selecting this place 
as his home. A more beautiful spot than Chest- 
nut Hill cannot be found within fifty miles of 
Philadelphia. From this gentle elevation the eye 
can command a most lovely and fertile region of 
country for a distance of from twenty to thirty 
miles in every direction, where the horizon is 
bounded by a range of blue hills. During the 
last few years, numbers of wealthy citizens of Phi- 
ladelphia have chosen this spot for their countrj^ 
residences; so that now the Hill is covered with 
pleasant and princely villas of all sorts and styles 
of architecture, surrounded with groves and gar- 
dens. In the summer months, this is a very para- 
dise of cool shade, of trees beautiful to look upon, 
of fruit pleasant to the taste, of blooming flowers, 
and of singing birds. 

The same house in which Mr. Schlatter resided 
after the war, up to the time of his death, is still 
standing. It is built of stone, two story high, 
with a one story back building. The main build- 
ing is divided into two rooms below and above. 
It has a small, self-supporting, roof-like projection 
in front, between the first and second stories, after 
the old style ; and originally the house was also 
adorned in front with a small porch after the old 



340 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

sociable fashion. This, however, has been taken 
away. The locks and hinges, the wall closets, and 
the small windows, opening through thick walls, 
are all unmistakable relics of the olden time. The 
veritable knocker, which his friends were wont to 
lift on the occasion of their social visits, is still in 
its place upon the door, giving evidence that it has 
done good service in its time. The house stands 
a little back from the road, and the small yard 
thus made is still shaded by several aged Lom- 
bardy poplars, standing like solemn, silent senti- 
nels along the fence. The ancient character of 
the whole scene is only the more impressive from 
being embosomed in the midst of the latest speci- 
mens of modern taste, exhibited in the villas which 
surround it on all sides. This homestead, with its 
surroundings, is perhaps the only remaining pic- 
ture of the last century on Chestnut Hill. Being 
still in possession of descendants of Mr. Schlatter, 
we hope they will "spare" that house, and that no 
one will be permitted to "touch a single" stone ! 

Hither, after the war as before it — to this Sweet- 
land as to the other — came hosts of the young 
from all directions, and almost all distances, to 
have their marriage vows consummated, and re- 
ceive the cheerful blessing of the venerable man. 
An aged schoolmaster who had Mr. Schlatter's re- 
cord book of marriages in his possession for a long 
time after his death, informed us, that the number 
of marriages he consummated is almost beyond 
belief. A kind of universal consent made him 
the master of these interesting ceremonies for all 



CHAPLAINCY IN THE .REVOLUTIONARY AVAR. 341 

the wide region upon which one looks out from 
this serene and lovel}' mount. 

Here lived Mr. Schlatter, till the close of his 
long and eventful life. Here, by the industry of 
his family, and the blessing of the God, whom he had 
served by a long life of self-sacrificing toil, he w^as 
enabled to enjoy a moderate, but comfortable pro- 
vision in his declining years. 



29 



CHAPTEE XIII. 

SCHLATTER AND MUHLENBERG. 
1746-1790. 

Approaching, as we now do, the last years of 
Mr. Schlatter's life, and this being the time of Mr. 
Muhlenberg's death, it seems to be the proper 
place to give some account of the relation which 
these two great and good men sustained toward 
each other through a long period of active life. 

Behold ! how^ good and how pleasant it is for 
brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the 
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down 
upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went 
down to the skirts of his garments ; as the dew of 
Ilermon ; and as the dew that descended upon the 
mountains of Zion ; for there the Lord commanded 
the blessing, even life for evermore.' 

A beautiful practical commentary on this holy 
song of love is the relation of amity which existed 
between the patriarchs of the German Eeformed 
and Lutheran Churches in America, Schlatter and 
Muhlenberg, from their first acquaintance up to 
the death of the latter, in 1787, a period of more 
than forty years. Impelled by the same piet}^ and 
tender love for their destitute brethren in America ; 
sent upon the same kind of a mission, and nearly 

' Psalm ciii. 

(342) 



SCHLATTER AND MUHLENBERG. 343 

at the same time ; having the same great and good 
work before them, and similar difficulties and trials 
to encounter in their respective labors ; extending 
their general labors over the same territor}', and, 
in a great measure, among the same people ; they 
did not only operate together officially in the 
greatest harmony, but lived on the most intimate 
terms of personal friendship. The records show 
not a single collision between them ; but, on the 
contrary, furnish abundant evidence of their mutual 
co-operation. They vindicated one another's char- 
acters ; sustained each other's hands ; rejoiced in 
each other's success ; praised each other's fidelity 
in their reports to Europe ; and visited each other 
as bosom friends. 

Mr. Schlatter, after his arrival in Philadelphia, 
on the 6th of September, 1746, attended only to a 
few urgent matters, and then hastened to pay his 
respects to his worthy colleague. " On the 15th 
of October," says Schlatter, in his Journal, ^'hav- 
ing humbly sought the guidance and blessing of 
God to prosper me in my way, I travelled from 
Philadelphia to Providence, a distance of thirtj^ 
miles, and visited the Rev. II. M. Muhlenberg, the 
first Lutheran preacher in this country, who, in 
the year 1742, was sent hither by the Very Rever- 
end Court-Preacher, Ziegenhagen, of London, on 
nearly the same footing with myself, and for the 
same object. I found it expedient to seek an 
understanding as to how it was necessary for me 
to act toward them in reference to the frequent 
intermarriages of these two denominations in these 



344 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

regions. His Eeverence received me with all pos- 
sible affection and brotherly kindness, commended 
himself and his brethren to our friendship, and 
desired that we might dwell together in neighborly 
amity and peace, which fellowship has also been 
preserved, sacred and inviolate, during the whole 
time I have been in Pennsylvania; so that one 
may well desire that such traces of harmony might 
also be found in Germany." 

On the third day after this pleasant interview, 
having, in the meantime, visited Eev. Boehm, in 
Falkner Schwam, Mr. Schlatter was again at 
Providence. He preached in a barn to that poor 
congregation, after which, he made known his 
commission and his desire of forming a charge, 
including that congregation and the one in Falkner 
Schwam. Only fifteen pounds in money and grain 
were pledged for the support of a minister, and he 
was disposed to be discouraged ; but he adds, 
"Mr. Muhlenberg, w^ho is the Lutheran preacher 
here and in Falkner Schwam, assured me that the 
Reformed are very numerous here, and that, as 
soon as they saw good order established, received 
preaching every two weeks, and their youth were 
properly instructed, they could and would do more 
than they had promised — in proof of this, he ap- 
pealed to his own experience." 

When Mr. Schlatter was in Europe, he took 
occasion, when proper opportunity was furnished, 
to speak in praise of Mr. Muhlenberg and his labors 
in the Lutheran churches in America. Dr. Fre- 
seni, of Frankfort, whom Mr. Schlatter visited 



SCHLATTER AND MUHLENBERG. 845 

both ill o:oino^ to and in returnins: from Switzer- 
land, in 1751, 1752, in his ''Pastoral Sammlungen," 
says of Schlatter : " I cannot omit mentioning that 
he manifests great respect and love toward Kev. 
Muhlenberg and his coadjutors, the Evangelical 
Lutheran Preachers in Pennsylvania. He often 
said to me with great satisfaction, that they lived 
together in pleasant neighborly harmony ; showed 
me also letters and testimonials which they had 
given him on his wa}^, in which they extol him 
very highly, and give clear evidence of their sincere 
love toward him. He assured me that the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran ministers had already brought 
their congregations into a better condition than 
could thus far be reached among the Keformed ; 
and that this results from the fact that they com- 
menced earlier and had been promptly supported 
by our brethren of the faith in Germany."^ What 
an excellent Christian spirit is here mutually mani- 
fested ! This is the charity that triumphs over 
party and rejoices in the truth. 

The loveliest and most touching: scene in the 
whole history of their long friendship, is when 
Schlatter returned from Europe. Having landed 
in the night at 'New York, early in the morning 
he hastened to Mr. Muhlenberg's house, and, as 
they met, he fell upon the good man's neck in joy 
and love. Mr. Muhlenberg, afterward writing to 
Halle, speaks of this arrival of Mr. Schlatter thus: 
" On Tuesday July 28th, 1752, early, at 6 o'clock, 
the Reformed minister, Rev. Schlatter, came to 

' Pastoral Saral., part xii. ; p. 2 in the Preface. 



846 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

my house, and embraced me according to the 
primitive custom of sincere friendship and love. 
In the night, he had arrived safely in a ship from 
Holland, and had brought with him six newly- 
ordained preachers for Pennsylvania, who were 
sent in free by the highly Eeverend Synod, and 
who are to be supported by it. I asked Mr. 
Schlatter whether I must now give him the title 
of Inspector? He answered, 'No; I have not 
sought my own, but God's honor, in seeking to 
advance the best interests of the forsaken congre- 
gations in Pennsylvania.' 

"In the evening, I was invited to see the six 
newly-arrived Reformed ministers. I went and 
w^elcomed them with the words: 'Behold! I send 
you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves ! be ye 
therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.' " ^ 

As already stated, their friendship was uninter- 
ruptedly continued, and we find frequent records 
of mutual visits from one to the other. We can 
only give a few specimens. 

" On Monday, the 10th of March, 1761, 1 desired 
to go quietly out of town," says Rev. Muhlenberg, 
*' but I was accompanied by the Swedish Provost 
Wrangel,^ and one of his elders; the first went 
with me till we came to Mr. Schlatter's, where we 
were entertained in a very friendly manner and 
lodged for the night." 

On Easter Monday, April 12, 1762, Mr. Muhlen- 

1 Hal. Nach., pp. 502, 503, 504. 

^ Rev. Charles Magnus Wrangel. He is mentioned as pastor 
of the Swedish church at the ford near Norristown at the time 
of its erection, 1763. His. Recol. of Penn., p. 485. 



SCHLATTER AND MUHLENBERG. 347 

bero; went to Barren Hill. *' Eev. Pastor Schlatter 
also came, and had made an appointment, after 
my sermon, to administer the Holy Supper to 
some Reformed members. After my sermon, Mr. 
Schlatter yet added a short exhortation, still fur- 
ther impressing upon their hearts what the}^ had 
heard. After this, he went with his church mem- 
bers into the union school-house, where he admin- 
istered the Holy Supper." 

":N'ov. 22d, 1762. From thence I went to Rev. 
Schlatter, who received me very kindly ; and by 
him and other neighbors, I was entertained with 
very edifying conversations concerning the king- 
dom of the Cross." 

Besides these, there are yet two other friendly 
visits, recorded in the year 1762, which Mr. Schlat- 
ter made to the house of Mr. Muhlenberg. How 
delio:htful must have been the communion which 
these two excellent men enjoj^ed on such visits, 
when, turning aside for a moment from their 
arduous labors and multitudinous cares, they met 
in the sacred quietude of their homes to counsel 
and encourage one another, to rejoice in each 
other's success, and to extend a mutual sympathy 
in their various trials. 

After these two eminent servants of Jesus 
Christ had walked together in peace till they were 
both aged and ripe for a better world, it pleased 
the Lord to take away Mr. Muhlenberg, who was 
the older, first. He died at the Trappe, in Mont- 
gomery County, October 7th, 1787, in the sevent}^- 
seventh year of his age.' On the lOtb, Mr. Schlat- 

' He was born Sept. 6, 1711. 



348 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

tor, who then resided at Chestnut Hill, and was 
already in his seventieth year, attended his funeral 
as the last earthly tribute of love to his well-tried 
and abidino^ friend. It was but a few vears later 
when Schlatter also died ; and who can doubt that 
then the fellowship, but a short time broken to 
mortal ej-es, was renewed in that world where 
charity is pure and permanent, and where all the 
beautiful is glorified ? 

These two learned and good men were attached 
to their several confessions, and the venerable and 
sacred religious customs of the communions in 
which they stood ; but they heeded, at the same 
time, the apostolic injunction: "Above all these 
things, put on charity, which is the bond of per- 
fectness." Who does not sincerely desire that the 
spirit of these men may ever reign as the spirit of 
these two confessions in this country? As they 
are, in an important sense, the fathers of these two 
branches of the Church in America, let all the 
children show themselves worthy of such parentage 
by cultivating the same spirit. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and 
angels, and have not charity, I am become as a 
sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though 
I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all 
mysteries and all knowledge ; and though I have 
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and 
have not charity, I am nothing. And though I 
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though 
I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, 
it profiteth me nothing. 



CHAPTER XIY. 

OLD AGE AND DEATH. 

To follow the pilgrim " to the scene which is his 
last," is now our solemn duty. Be not reluctant : 
it is not a gloomy way by which he went down. 
As we fancy some venerable hermit sitting before 
his cave on the silent mountain-side, with the 
mild and mellow glory of the setting sun shining 
full upon his face, so do we see this venerable 
servant of Jesus Christ looking serenely back from 
the twilight of life's evening, upon the world which 
he has travelled, but desirous to travel no more. 
"With the same serene cheerfulness which charac- 
terized him all his life, he disappears slowly among 
the willows of Jordan, singing as he goes : 

The Lord is my Shepherd ; 

I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley 

Of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil ; 

For thou art with me ; 

Thy rod and thy staff, 

They comfort me. 

Mr. Schlatter retained his heaMi and his physical 
and mental vigor, in a remarkable degree, in his 
old age. Being of a cheerful and friendly dispo- 
30 (340*) 



350 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

sition, he was a favorite among his neighbors, and 
was venerated as a patriarch by old and young. 

His personal appearance in old age was very 
venerable. Well formed, well proportioned, and 
well rounded in the form of his body and the 
features of his face, his appearance was mild and 
good-natured. He was of medium size and weight. 
His hair was bushy, and as white as snow, nicely 
parted, and hung down to his shoulders. Though 
he had a fine head of hair, yet according to the 
custom of the times he wore a wig on public 
occasions — this he also always put on when he 
was called upon to marry a couple. In the public 
services of the church, in addition to the wig, he 
also wore the black gown and peritrachelium, or 
white color under the chin, as he is seen in the 
portrait. He was extremely neat and clean in his 
dress, and even on ordinary occasions always care- 
ful to present a genteel appearance. "Whoever 
passed his house early on a morning in summer, 
could see him before the door dressed in his morn- 
ing gown, his face mild and pleasant as the full 
moon, while he politely greeted the passer with 
pleasant words and a graceful bow. 

As all good old men are, he was a great friend 

to children, and in return he was a great favorite 

with them. No doubt Goldsmith's lines were often 

literally fulfilled : 

" Even children followed with endearing will, 
And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile." 

The young people far and near were exceedingly 
fond of the venerable pastor on Chestnut Hill. We 



OLD AGE AND DEATH. 351 

have already referred to the fact, that immense 
numbers came to him to be married. This, we 
have been told by the ancient people, resulted from 
the ease with which he could be approached by the 
most diffident, and the sympathetic joy with which 
he could enter into the cheerful spirit of the young. 
He was always buoyant and elastic in his spirits ; 
but in his old age, when the childlike feeling re- 
turned with greater force by a law of nature, his 
cheerfulness was of such a patriarchal cast, that 
in its freest flow it did not transcend the limits of 
innocence, or in an}^ way encourage levity. Thus 
the young felt free in his presence, while at the 
same time his venerable person acted on their 
minds and hearts as a gentle restraint. 

" Though old, he still retained 
His manly sense and energy of mind, 
Virtuous and wise he was, but not severe ; 
He still remembered that he once was young : 
His easy presence checked no decent joy, 
And laughing could instruct." 

"We have before stated that he was always greatly 
respected by the rulers of the land, and enjoyed 
the confidence and personal friendship of the 
prominent men of the state. There are aged people 
still living at Chestnut Plill, who I'emember that 
Mr. Schlatter used to receive and greatly enjoy 
visits from many of the civil celebrities of the da}-. 
Governor Mifflin was a particular friend of his, 
and often visited him. He was also on the most 
intimate terms with Gen. Joseph Heister, after- 
wards Governor of Pennsylvania — mutual visita- 



352 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

tions having been kept up between them. AVhen 
we inquired of an aged individual why he received 
such frequent visits from this class of persons, the 
answer was, his own great fondness for intehigent, 
social intercourse, his extraordinary cheerfulness, 
and his gift of entertaining company in a pleasant 
and profitable way. 

He is said to have had a great fund of incidents, 
occurrences, and anecdotes of the two wars, in both 
of which he had acted a public part, which he 
could relate in the most successful manner for the 
entertainment of his friends. Though fond of 
relating matters that were connected with his own 
eventful life and rich experience, yet he uniformly 
avoided making himself the hero of his own story. 
A careful study of his life will convince any one 
that he was a modest man ; nor did this grace 
leave him in his old age, which is a period when 
its absence is the more easily excused. 

Mv. Schlatter was always disposed to hospitality, 
as the reader will have incidentally learned in 
pursuing the course of his life, and he delighted 
particularly in the exercise of this estimable grace 
in old age. The poet's beautiful description of a 
country pastor, is true history as applied to the 
homestead of Mr. Schlatter. 

'' His house was known to all the vagrant train, 
He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain ; 
The long-remembered beggar was his guest. 
Whose beard descending swept his aged breast ; 
The ruined spendthrift, now no longer proud, 
Claimed kindred there, and had his claims allowed ; 



OLD AGE AND DEATH. 358 

The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, 
Sat by h]< fire, and talked the nif^ht away; 
Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, 
Shouldered his crutch, and showed how fields were won. 
Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow, 
And quite forgot their vices in their woe ; 
Careless their merits or their faults to scan, 
His pity gave ere charity began. 

Some innocent eccentricities manifested them- 
selves during his last years, which are still remem- 
bered by a few of the aged. We will mention an 
instance, which is perhaps not so much an eccen- 
tricity as an illustration of his patriarchal character, 
and the easy manner in which this honor was 
awarded to him by his good neighbors. It was 
customary in those days for the female worshippers 
at Barren Hill to wear short gowns and neat 
aprons. On occasions when he preached there, as 
he proceeded up the aisle toward the pulpit — 

which he always did in a very hurried manner 

he would suddenly stop, and without saying a 
word, would seize hold of one of these clean aprons 
to wipe the dust from his glasses, which he usually 
carried in his hands when not in use. 

Mr. Schlatter's wife, the steady and faithful com- 
panion of his earthly pilgrimage, preceded him 
into the better world; so that in this respect, he 
was alone in his old age. The precise time of her 
death is not known now, owing to the defective 
manner in which the records have been kept. Her 
history, along-side of the active public history of 
her husband, is a silent one. Perhaps this is the 
best history of her that the church could have. 
30* 



354 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

Would it not be well if that of Mrs. Wesley and 
Mrs. Whitfield had been of this character? All 
that incidentally comes forward of Mrs. Schlatter 
is the most honorable to her memory. Her will- 
ingness to leave her wealthy and highly respect- 
able parents in the city of New York, to unite 
her life with that of a comparatively poor, laborious, 
and for the most part, travelling missionary in a 
new country — her patience and contentment with 
all the cares of a family during his frequent long 
absences on missions, and in the public service 
during the wars — are acts which themselves speak 
volumes to her honor. She lies buried at Barren 
Hill church; but — my pen falters! — without a 
stone to mark her grave ! Have not the ladies of 
the German Reformed church sufficient piety and 
gratitude — when this fact comes to their know- 
ledge — to erect a modest memorial over the lonely 
grave of the missionary's wife ? — Mrs. Maria 
Henrika Schlatter. 

In the touching language spoken in reference to 
Israel of old, the time drew nigh that the venerable 
patriarch must die, and be gathered to his fathers. 
The precise day of his death is not known. His 
will, however, bears date October 22d, 1790, and 
was admitted to probate on the 23d of November 
of the same year. Between these two dates his 
death occurred. An aged man on Chestnut Hill, 
whose mind and memory are sound and active, 
says he died in the latter part of October. His 
life exceeded the common allotment of three-score 
and ten, he having been, at the time of his death, in 
the seventy-fifth year of his age. 



OLD AGE AND DEATH. 355 

Of his words and experiences in his last hours, 
records and traditions have handed nothins; down 
to ns! These are generally much desired, but in 
reality are not of so much importance as is often- 
times thou2:ht. A man's livino: words are of more 
account than his dying words. How has a man 
lived ? is a greater question than, how has he died ? 
They that live in the Lord will die in the Lord. 
The sun that shines in glory through the whole of 
its course, surely also sets in glorj^, even though a 
cloud should pass over it as it sinks beneath the 
horizon, and its last mildest rays should be seen 
by no human eye. 

Death approached him calmly and slowl}^ He 
was somewhat feeble during the last year of his 
life ; but it seemed rather to be old age than sick- 
ness that was releasing him. In the death of the 
good, the old passes gently and quietly into the 
new. The mysterious power of the unseen, by a 
silent victory outmasters the spirit's affinities to the 
seen and temporal, till as by sweet constraint, and 
in willing obedience to the beckoning of an invisi- 
ble hand, the saint begins to feel the impulses of a 
holy haste, "looks to his God, and plumes his 
wings for heaven." Death is both a sleep and an 
awakening. 

" So lifo glides smoothly, and by stealth away, 
More golden than that age of fabled gold, 
Kenowned in ancient song ; not ves'd with care, 
Or stain'd with guilt, beneficent, approved 
Of God and man, and peaceful in its end. 
So glide my life away ! and so at last. 
My share of duties decently fulfilled, 



356 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

May some disease, not tardy to perform 
Its destined ofBce, yet with gentle stroke, 
Dismiss me weary to a safe retreat, 
Beneath the turf that I have often trod." 

Mr. Schlatter's remains were taken to Philadel- 
phia, and interred in what was then the burial-ground 
of the German Eeformed church, but is now 
Franklin Square. This sacred place was vacated 
in 1837, by the authorities of Philadelphia: whether 
it was done also by divine authority, some doubt ! 
This grave-yard occupied a good portion of the 
northern and eastern side of this large square. 
Some of the dead were removed when the grave- 
yard was vacated; but the greater portion remain. 
The ground was originally something lower than 
it is now, having been filled ujj in grading, some 
five or more feet. The tombstones were laid flat 
on the graves and then covered. 

To a member of the German Reformed church, 
this beautiful square is a spot for tender and solemn 
meditation. Here lie the remains of his kindred 
in the faith, in the noiseless repose of death. 

Here are the dead — 

The silent dead ! 
They heed not, and they hear not 

Our passing tread. 
How calm, with up-turned faces, 
Low in their resting places, 

The pale^ pale slumberers lie ! 

Here are the dead — 

Our kindred dead ! 
Through long, long generations, 

Laid in this bed. 



OLD AGE AND DEATH. 357 

In silent deep communion, 
Dust seeks with dust reunion, 
As side by side they lie. 

Here are the dead — 

The sainted dead ! 
Forever free from turmoil — 

From tears and dread ; 
In hope their bodies sleeping, 
In heaven their spirits reaping 

Eternal life and joy. 

Directly east of the sparkling jets, a few feet in 
from the edge of the circular gravel-walk, under 
the green sod, lie the Eevd's Steiner and Winkhans, 
and Drs. Weyberg and Hendel, the aged. Directly 
north of this spot, about midway between it and 
Vine street, lies Eev. Michael Schlatter; and 
around these leaders of the Lord's host far and 
near — a silent congregation now! — sleep thou- 
sands of those to whom they once ministered the 
holy ordinances of the church, and the precious 
instructions and consolations of the Gospel. There 
are many now living who remember the marble 
slab which marked Mr. Schlatter's grave, and can 
point out the spot. As in the case of the rest, his 
tombstone was laid upon the grave, and covered 
by the grading. 

The stranger enters this rural scene in the midst 
of the crowded city with other thoughts, least of 
all thinking that he is in a cemetery ! In us the 
very cheerfulness of the scene, which busy thought 
brings into contrast with what we know to be 
covered by it, inspires a deeper sense of all that is 
changeable on earth, and of all that is enduring in 



358 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

heaven. Amid the life and love, the shine and 

shade, the bloom and beautj^ the silence and song, 

the low murmur of the crowd, and the joyful shout 

of children on a summer day, we feel — or seem 

to feel — 

" A dreamy presence everywhere, 

As if of spirits pressing to and fro ; 
We almost hear their voices in the air, 

And feel their balmy pinions touch the brow." 

Here sleep sweetly together, ye pastors and peo- 
ple ! In joy as to your spirits, in hope as to your 
bodies. Rest amid these hospitable shades. Rest, 
till the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 
with a shout, and the voice of the archangel and 
the trumpet of God, shall call you to the resur- 
rection of the just. With the sacred sorrow of 
love, with the holy assurance of faith, and wdth 
the blessed joy of hope, we pronounce over you 
the words with which the early Reformed church 
was wont at the close of her burial service to bid 
adieu to her dead : — 

" The Lord bless thee who hast returned to thy 
Father's house, and protect us who remain in our 
pilgrimage : 

The Lord make His face to shine upon thee 
where light arises to the upright as the noonday, 
and be gracious unto us w^ho still tarry in the twi- 
light : 

The Lord lift the light of His countenance upon 
thee, and give thee the peace of those who walk 
by vision, and unto us the peace of those that walk 
by faith. Amen." 



CHAPTER XV. 

Schlatter's descendants. 

TVhen we have followed a man's life throngh a 
series of noble achievements up to its close, there 
remains upon our minds a natural curiosity to 
know something of his descendants. His honor is 
in a certain sense the honor also of his offspring, 
and we desire to seek them out and award them 
the inheritance of respect bequeathed to them b}- 
an honored ancestor. So far as the author has it 
in his power, this reasonable curiosity and desire 
of the reader shall be gratified. 

Mr. Schlatter had four sons and five daughters; 
all his daughters and one of his sons were yet liv- 
incj at the time of his death. His children were as 
follows : 

1. Elizabeth was born October 25th, 1748, and 
died on the 18th of April, 1840, aged ninety-one 
years, five months, and three days. She was never 
married. 

2. Henry Theophilus was born June 19th, 1750. 
He was baptized August 13th, 1750, his grand- 
parents being sponsors. Nothing farther is known 
of him. He no doubt died in infancy. 

3. Mary was born June 4th, 1751. She was 
married to Adam Snyder of Roxborough, Pa. 
After his death, she was married to a Mr. John 
Hemming. vShe died December 23d, 1829, aged 

(359) 



oGO LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

seventy-eight years, six months, and nineteen 
clays. 

4. Gerhard Eichard was born July 7th, 1753. 
" The sponsors in his baptism," say the Records in 
Philadelphia, " were Hon. Richard Peters, Secre- 
tary of Pennsylvania, and Rev. Gerhard Kulen- 
kamp, minister in Amsterdam." He was named 
after these two distinguished men, who were inti- 
mate and faithful friends of Mr. Schlatter. This 
son entered the army of the colonists, in the 
war of the Revolution. He was Adjutant in what 
was called the ^'Plying Camp" — and was in the 
battles of Germantown, Princeton, and Brandy- 
wine. At the battle of Germantown he had two 
horses shot under him in one day. He died at 
Princeton, December 7th, 1787, aged thirty-four 
years, and five months. 

5. David Samuel was born September 22d, 1755. 
As sponsors, are named. Rev. David Thompson, 
Reformed minister in the English church in Am- 
sterdam, and Rev. Samuel Chandler, D. D., minis- 
ter in Loudon. These men, as has been seen in 
this narrative of his life, were eminent co-workers 
T^ith Mr. Schlatter, and hence this son was honor- 
ed with their names. This son was also in the 
army during the war. After serving his time, he 
left the army; but he was afterward, with some 
others, taken prisoner by the British, and carried 
away to some island. Here he endured great pri- 
vations and sufferings. After some time, he had 
the fortune of being exchanged for other prisoners, 
and thus found his way home. His constitution, 



Schlatter's descendants. 361 

however, was broken down by the hardships he 
had endured; and he arrived at home sick and 
feeble. He died about three months afterward. 

6. Susannah. She was married to Mr. Daniel 
Hughes, of the firm of "Daniel and Samuel 
Hughes," proprietor of Mount Alto Furnace and 
Forge, on the west side of the South mountain in 
Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Daniel Hughes 
resided at an early time in Hagerstown, Mary- 
land, and owned also a Forge on the Antietam. 
Mr. Schlatter in his will, divides his property 
equally among his living children ; but makes an 
exception in the case of "Susannah, wife of Da- 
niel Hughes, of Maryland," to whom he makes a 
" special legacy of five pounds, for the purchase 
of a mourning ring, considering," as the will says, 
" that she is blest with a competency above her 
sisters and brother." 

7. Michael. He on one occasion went out as 
supercargo in a merchant vessel, and was not 
heard from afterwards. He is supposed to have 
been lost at sea. He is mentioned in his father's 
will, and must therefore have been still living at 
the time of his father's death, 1790. 

8. Hester was born in 1762, and died Novem- 
ber 13th, 1811, aged forty-nine years. She was 
never married. 

9. Rachel was born June 4th, 1764. She was 

a very masculine and courageous woman. "When 

her father was in prison in Philadelphia, she, being 

then only in the fourteenth year of her age, used to 

ride to the city to bring him provision. When the 
oi 



362 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

army lay in the neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, 
she used to plait the hair of the American officers, 
for which they paid her pocket-money each time. 
She died March 8th, 1836, aged seventy-one years, 
nine months, and four days. 

The daughters Hester, Elizabeth, and Rachel, 
resided together in their father's homestead, at 
Sweetland, on Chestnut Hill, up to the time of 
their death. They were all communicant mem- 
bers of the German Reformed Church at German- 
town. The last two died while Rev. A. Helfen- 
stein, Jr., was pastor of that church; and he 
preached funeral sermons on the occasion of their 
burial. They are all buried at the church at Bar- 
ren Hill, in which, it is said, the Reformed Church 
had formerly an interest. These three daughters, 
together with John Adam Seitz, Mr. Schlatter 
made the executors of his will. 

These daughters were much respected in the 
neighborhood where they lived ; were women of 
naturally strong minds and a good degree of intel- 
ligence, and devoted to the Church. They were 
in moderate circumstances as to this world's goods. 
Their father had left them the homestead, and a 
small income beside ; but not sufficient to sustain 
them of itself However, by adding to it their 
own industry and a strict economy, they lived 
comfortably and above want. It seems, from his 
will, that he expected to inherit some property 
from his brothers and sisters, at that time living in 
St. Gall, in Switzerland, which he bequeaths, in 
equal shares, to his children ; but whether anything 



SCHLATTER'S DESCENDANTS. 363 

was ever received by them from this source does 

not appear. 

We have not thought it necessary to trace his 
descendants beyond his immediate children It 
mav, however, yet be mentioned, that Mr. Wilham 
Schlatter, well known in earlier times in Fhiiaclel- 
phia as an extensive importer and wholesale dry- 
o-oods merchant, was one of his grandsons. He 
became very wealthy, and resided for a long time 
in princely style in Chestnut Street, between T weltth 
and Thirteenth. It is said that he adopted the 
teachiugs of Swedenborg, and, out of his own funds 
built the Swedenborg church, in the neighborhood 
of his residence, in Philadelphia.^ He met, how- 
ever, with great losses by the sudden fall of goods, 
consequent upon the declaration of peace at the 
close of the late war. By this reverse of fortune, 
he became comparatively poor, and passed through 
severe trials, deeply affecting him in body and m 
mind, in the latter part of his life. He died about 
the year 1828. He was held in high estimation, 
and, for a long time, had great influence in the 
commercial circles of the metropolis. His children 
are highly respectable. Two of his sons have been 
prominent and talented engineers in the State, and 
were employed by companies and the State in 
extensive railroad and canal projects. One of 
them married a daughter of Mr. Peacock, formerly 
Postmaster, and a well-known and very worthy 

1 He likewise published, and distributed gratuitously, thou- 
sands of volumes of Swedenborg's works. 



364 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

citizen of Harrisburg, Pa. His daughter Eliza is 
the wife of Mr. Chandler, a prominent and suc- 
cessful lawyer of Boston, Massachusetts. 

In the city of St. Gall, in Switzerland, there are 
still Schlatter families of the same ancient stock ; 
but the immediate branch from which Michael is 
descended, beginning with his father, is there 
extinct. The only remaining descendants of the 
family are in America. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

GENERAL CHARACTER. 

From the picture of his hfe and labors which we 
have CDcleavored to draw in this volume, the reader 
will, we have no doubt, get a pretty definite and 
distinct impression of the general character of Rev. 
Michael Schlatter. Still there are some things 
here to be said, in the way of designating and illus- 
trating such traits and characteristics as were most 
prominent and controlling. 

Mr. Schlatter could always command the highest 
testimonials, from the most respectable sources, 
w^henever it was necessary for him so to do, abun- 
dant evidence of which has already appeared. 
Dr. Freseni, of Frankfort-on-the-Mayne, who pub- 
lished his Journal, says, in his introductory remarks : 
"I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted 
with the Author, Pastor Schlatter, when he visited 
me frequently, as well in autumn of last year, when 
on his way into Switzerland, as also on his return 
at the beginning of this year. According to my 
judgment he is an honest, judicious, and meek 
man ; a man zealously concerned for the spread of 
Christ's kingdom, as may also be inferred from his 
writings. He has now returned to America, and 
31 * * (365) 



366 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

will labor to cany forward the important work 
which has there been commenced."^ 

As a man, he was remarkably easy and friendly 
in his manner. In corapanj-, in the social circle, 
and with friends, he was free, familiar, and full of 
vivacity and cheerfulness. When the occasion was 
not serious, there was a quiet humor in his looks 
and words. It is said that he excelled in pure, 
innocent humor and wit; but never indulged in a 
way that did not comport with his ministerial 
character. True humor and wit are not to be con- 
founded wnth folly and frivolity. Only a truly 
serious man can be humorous and witty. Wit and 
humor rank in the same category with irony; — 
while irony shows folly in a contemptuous light, 
wit and humor show it to be ridiculous. A bad 
man may be silly, but not humorous — he may be 
wily, but not witty. Only he who is above the 
ridiculous, and never appears ludicrous himself, 
can truly be humorous. In short, these capacities 
must have a solemn background ; and, when 
properly used, are innocent and useful. 

Mr. Schlatter was possessed of a very catholic 
spirit ; and he alwa^'s kept himself well informed 
in regard to the general movements in the world, 
especially political and religious. He took a deep 
interest in the civil affairs of our own country; 
indeed, it seemed difficult for him, in the active 



' Muhlenberg, speaking well of Schlatter, says : " Des um 
die Ehre Gottes unter den Reformirten Gemeinen in Penusyl- 
vanien eifrig bemliheten Mannes." — Ilal. Nach., p. 311. 



GENERAL CHARACTER. 367 

X^ortion of bis life, to localize his mincl, heart, and 
activities. He was always read}^ to fall in with 
general enterprises ; and was never content to move, 
iike a man that walks in the halo of a lamp which 
he hears in his own hand, seeing only around him 
and near him, without comprehending his general 
latitude and longitude. In a word, he was consti- 
tuted, in taste and talent, for a public man. 

While he gave abundat proof of his deep interest 
in the Reformed Church — manifested an intelligent 
preference for her ftiith — felt the power of all her 
traditional associations, and was tenderly influenced 
by the home-feeling of her spiritual household, yet 
in all his public life, which brought him into fre- 
quent contact with other religious denominations, 
we have not discovered a single instance in which 
he betrayed the least bigotry, or narrow, sectarian 
spirit. True, there were small religious parties in 
the land, of which he sometimes spoke in decided 
terms ; but only, like John himself, as a testimony 
against their false religious principles and practices. 
Toward all the reigning bodies of Christians, who 
have a respectable history and a generally-accredited 
faith, he uniformly acted w^ith the greatest reve- 
rence, and the most enlarged charity. He lived 
not only on good terms, but in constant intimacy, 
with the prominent ministers of the day in all the 
other denominations. We have met with a number 
of instances in which he received from them marks 
of the greatest consideration, confidence, and love. 

Mr. Schlatter had a very inquisitive and inquiring 
mind in regard to all incidental occurrences that 



o68 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

crossed his path. He was a close observer in his 
travels, of things in the world of nature, and the 
world of man. Though not meddlesome, he was 
always anxious to inquire into everj-day occur- 
rences around him. Thus he became eminently a 
practical man, and knew how to turn all the results 
of his observations to a practical account. He 
emphatically understood the workings of human 
nature, and knew the ways of men. 

He was fond of order, and had the power and 
tact of organization in an eminent degree. He 
was prompt and punctual in his appointments — 
careful and exact in all his business. This is seen 
in many of the old church records which he com- 
menced, and in constitutions and rules of order 
which he drew up for the churches that he visited 
and organized. His records are made in a clear, 
clean, and careful hand. Greatly is it to be regret- 
ted that so many of our old churches, to whom he 
showed a more excellent way, have since manifested 
such a sad carelessness and even culpable indifier- 
ence in regard to their records. 

It was this faculty of order and organization that 
was a most prominent cause of his success in his 
early labors among the churches in America. He 
is said not to have been what is generally called a 
popular preacher ; he was solid and instructive, but 
not eloquent and fascinating. He had tenderness, 
but it manifested itself rather in his own tears, 
than in words that would make others weep. 
What made him welcome everywhere, and gave 
him influence among the infant churches, was 



GENERAL CHARACTER. 369 

chiefly his practical, organizing, arranging, and 
managing talent. The German Reformed Church 
in this country can never sufficiently thank God for 
placing the work of organization in the hands of 
a man, whom He had so eminently fitted for the 
great work. 

Mr. Schlatter was always faithful to the trusts 
committed to his hands, which were neither few 
nor small. 'Not a single instance can be pointed 
out in his public career in which he neglected his 
mission, or failed to apply himself with the utmost 
diligence to the accomplishment of his work. It 
will be seen, in the history of his life and labors, 
that he frequently received the most flattering 
public acknowledgments and testimonials to this 
oflect. 

The attentive reader of his life will be frequently 
impressed with his great love of peace. He en- 
dured in silence what hundreds would have re- 
garded as suflicient cause for war. He defended 
himself reluctantly; and when he was pressed to it, 
he did it in a subdued tone and spirit. IN^othing 
has impressed us more favorably, or served so much 
in giving us an exalted opinion of his truly Chris- 
tian character, than the instances of this kind 
which we have met in our review of his life. He 
was very successful in adjusting diflferences, settling 
difliculties in congregations, and restoring peace 
where strife had crept in. Even at the close of 
those trying troubles in Philadelphia, where all 
human wisdom and patience had spent themselves 
in vain, he was at length successful to such an 



370 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

extent that the Coetus felt itself constrained to 
make a public acknowledgment of the services he 
had rendered. 

We have been struck, in examining some of the 
congregational constitutions which he drew up, 
wdth the wisdom he manifests in forestalling pro- 
bable occurrences of strife, and the admirable fore- 
sight with which he devised means to keep out 
contention and division, and preserve and cultivate 
peace. In the rules which he drew up for the 
government of the congregation in Philadelphia, 
and which were adopted January 14th, 1753, soon 
after the first storm of strife there had transpired, 
an illustration of this is furnished. 

"In future," says one of the articles in this inte- 
resting document, " the first Friday in every month 
shall be observed as a day for penitence and prayer, 
on which occasion a sermon shall be preached. 
After this sermon, w^e will regard it as a proper 
time, in an open-hearted manner, to converse with 
one another, if perhaps one or another may have 
aught against his brother in regard to his doctrine 
or manner of life ; to the end that, should such an 
one be found, he may be corrected in a brotherly 
and Christian way, so that all secret ill-will and 
misunderstanding may be prevented." 

Again, we read in the same document: "We 
will always separate from one another in love ; and 
if, contrary to expectation, something of an un- 
pleasant character should occur amongst us, we 
will not separate till everything has been adjusted 
in a friendly way : so that a fearful fire may not 



GENERAL CHARACTER. 371 

enkindle from a small spark, but rather that the 
bond of brotherly love and peace may be strength- 
ened and rendered indissoluble. Our motto shall 
be: — 

* Friede ernehrt, 
Unfried verzehrt/ " 

Much holy wisdom underlies these rules ; and, 
verily, better than gold is this motto. May such 
congregations as live in strife, see these words, as 
it were, the hand-writing of fire in Belshazzar's 
palace, upon their church walls. Surely "peace 
nourishes, but strife consumes." 

These extracts show, at the same time, his tender 
concern for the spiritual advancement of his mem- 
bers. His desire that his members might not only 
have the name, but also possess the power of 
Christianit}^, appears in many ways — his journal 
will furnish abundant evidence on this point. The 
rules of order which he drew up for the government 
of his congregation in Philadelphia, seem more 
like a solemn covenant, binding them mutually to 
grow in grace, and lead a holy Hfe, than like what 
is generally regarded as a constitution for a church. 

Prominent amid every other trait in Mr. Schlat- 
ter's character is his extraordinary industry and 
, perseverance. He was a man of astonishing energy 
of character. In a review of his life, nothing 
strikes us so forcibly as this. It seems as if no 
obstacles in the path of duty could make him hesi- 
tate. J^o difficulties discouraged him, no trials 
disheartened him, no failures could break down his 
courage, or take away his elasticity. "Whatever he 



372 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

believed ought to be done, be was willing to under- 
take. A true Swiss, he was not to be subdued ; 
nor would he cease pursuing his path, though diffi- 
culties rose before him, like hills on hills, and Alps 
on Alps, in the land of his birth. 

His journal gives evidence of his great industry. 
It will be seen how frequent were his visits to dis- 
tant settlements — how far apart lay his appoint- 
ments between the forenoon and afternoon services, 
and between one day and another, so that he fre- 
quently travelled late at night and early in the 
morning to reach them. These journeys he made 
on horseback, in all seasons of the year, and in all 
kinds of weather ; at a time, too, when the country 
was new — thinly inhabited between the different 
settlements — roads bad, and inadequately opened — 
crossings of streams and rivers extremely difficult, 
and often really perilous. The record of his travels 
and labors is a most interesting picture of his ear- 
nestness, and shows that he was truly a man " in 
labors abundant," " diligent in business, and fer- 
vent in spirit." 

To sum up in a few words, Mr. Schlatter had a 
healthy body, and a well-balanced mind — medium 
in physical size, and medium in intellectual abili- 
ties. He had a kind, elastic spirit, a cheerful faith, 
and a ready practical turn that could meet emer- 
gencies. He was solid and sound in his theological 
and religious views, true to the proper churchly 
order of the Eeformed Church, earnest, honest, and 
reliable ; and, if we would think of any one thing 
in which he was extraordinary, it was in energy, 
industry, and perseverance. 



CHAPTER XYII. 

CONCLUDING KEMARKS. 

We cannot conclude the story of the life and 
labors of this apostolic man without referring to 
the fiict, that the German Reformed Church in 
America has great reason to lay to heart the solemn 
lesson which the facts of this volume teach. The 
church does now, and will for years to come, sus- 
tain a relation to the vast Home Missionary field 
]ying westward in our country, strikingly similar 
to that which the mother Church in Europe sus- 
tained to the infant daughter in Eastern America 
one hundred years ago. Precisely the same kind 
of work is needed in the w^estward extension of the 
Church. The same appeals which then went from 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, 
to Holland, the Palatinate, and Switzerland, now 
come from the Western States and territories to the 
firmly-established eastern churches. Precisely the 
same touching motives exist to cause these cries 
and calls to be heard, and answered by prompt and 
eflacient help. 

To do the work which is due to the scattered 
and destitute brethren of the same faith in the 
West, just such a pioneering, exploring missionary 
as Schlatter proved to be, is needed, to seek out 
the clusters of Reformed families in the new towns, 
32 (373) 



S74 LIFE AND LABORS OF SCHLATTER. 

cities, and settlements — to organize and combine 
them into congregations and charges — to ascertain 
the extent of their own ability to support the ordi- 
nances of the church among them, and to report 
the deficiency to the Board of Domestic Missions — 
to suggest the appropriate man for any given place, 
and secure his settlement — and, with pen and 
voice, to lay open before the churches such infor- 
mation in regard to the destitutions and wants of 
the western field, as shall call forth the necessary 
help, in men and means, and sympathy. This is 
precisely the way in which the churches in the 
Eastern States were established, sustained, and 
nursed, over a century ago. Will any one say that 
this great work could have been accomplished 
w^ithout the superintending missionary labors of 
Mr. Schlatter ? Shall the lesson thus taught us by 
the mother church go unheeded and unlearned, 
w^hile we continue to disperse, rather than concen- 
trate, our energies upon the western field, gather- 
ing comparatively little, and that by far too slow a 
process ? 

We are not without hope — and this has cheered 
us through the toils of these pages — that this 
truthful record of that great and glorious missionary 
work, which stands as a monument of honor to 
our ancestors, and has proved such an unbounded 
blessing to us, will serve, in some measure at least, 
to awaken increased interest in the o^reat work of 
Home Missions. Will not the older cono^reo:ations, 
who owe their very existence to its maternal caro 
and love, lay its touching lessons to heart, and 



^ . CONCLUDING REMARKS. 375 

consider their debt of gratitude as in the presence 
of God ? If the low-lands of Holland, '' redeemed 
from the sea" — the down-trodden Palatinate, at 
the time weeping under the cross — and the strait- 
ened brethren of Switzerland, as from the clefts of 
the rocks — could reach forth a helping hand across 
the rolling Atlantic to their needy brethren in a 
new and distant world, shall the rich valleys of 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, fail to follow 
their brethren to the Western States and territories 
of our own land with sympathy and help ? Freely we 
have received, let us freely give ; remembering the 
words of the Lord Jesus : "Inasmuch as ye have 
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me." 

May gratitude for the blessings which have come 
to us from the past, and a view of the present 
pressing wants of the church, inspire many of our 
young men with a sacred enthusiasm to consecrate 
themselves to God and the Church, in the office of 
the holy ministry. Let them take up the work 
which the fathers are compelled, by age and in- 
firmity, to lay down ; and count it an honor, which 
an angel would receive with a thrill of grateful joy, 
to herald good tidings, and publish peace : to say 
unto Zion, Thy God reigneth ! 



THE END. 



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